The price of a home sold in Wales increased by 2.2% in the first quarter of 2025, the steepest growth in two years.
This brings the typical property price to £238,413, 4.0% higher than the same period last year, figures from Principality Building Society show.
Iain Mansfield, chief financial officer at Principality Building Society, said: “A key driver of the year-on-year transaction growth could be the ongoing supply issues with the last 25 years seeing a notable decline in house building in Wales.
“Significant policy changes such as the extension of the Welsh government’s Help to Buy scheme, second home tax adjustments, and plans to build more affordable housing aim to combat this challenge and curb investor activity.”
There is a mixed picture at a regional level in Wales.
Bridgend saw the highest annual change of any authority at 11%, closely followed by Blaenau Gwent which reported an increase of 6.8% and Caerphilly with 6.6%.
Other areas, including Ceredigion, saw prices fall in Q1, dropping 10.1% from the final quarter of 2024. Meanwhile the year-on-year trend for the same region suggests just over a 3% drop, with some experts suggesting this is due to policy changes such as Welsh government’s adjustments to second home taxation.
Price declines in regional areas have eased over the past three quarters compared to the same period last year, offering some signs of stability for buyers and sellers in a shifting market.
Mansfield added: “Across Westminster and Wales, housing is high on the agenda. Looking ahead, the UK government remains publicly committed to extensive planning reforms – setting out an ambitious target to build 1.5 million homes over the next 5 years, representing a significant shift in the UK’s housing landscape.
“This, paired with the Welsh government’s Help to Buy Wales extension and additional £10 million investment allocated to kickstart housing schemes across Wales signals a clear message that policymakers recognise the importance of housing to families and individuals across the country.
“Despite external pressures such as cost of living, inflation, and global economic pressures, the housing market in Wales is moving forward in a positive direction, with increased consumer confidence and areas of strong regional performance.”