Housing speculation within the UK housing market has shifted from the London region to more northern parts of the country. More and more investors and those looking to flip a property are spending time in the northern region compared with the capital city of London. According to a recent study by Hamptons International, a division of Countrywide, the top area to flip a property is Burnley in Lancashire. More than 6% of all properties in the city during the past year were purchased then quickly sold again for profit.

The average property in Burnley costs 81,352. This qualifies Burnley as the least expensive area in which to buy a home. Properties in this area are being purchased to improve and then quickly sell.

Many believe house prices in the north will continue to outpace house prices in the south. This trend will then make flipping properties in the region much more favourable since those doing the flipping will have more opportunity for profit and increase.

In the early 2000s, housing speculation was occurring at a much faster pace. Flipping was much more popular in those days when house price growth was speeding along at more than 13% per year. For six straight years, house flipping was totaling more than £6bn per year on average.

House flipping and property speculation in general will likely remain outside the city limits of London for the short term and possibly the long term. Since house price growth has peaked and now entered decline, the capital city could take some time before entering massive growth phase again.