Similarly to last year, 2021 was a year that many of us will not forget. It was the year of staying at home - again.
But with that, it meant many of us took the opportunity to renovate our own homes to make them more attractive and adapt to a remote working life - or move entirely.
And while UK house prices soared in 2021 with the market seeing a 7.1% annual rise and prices rising by an average of £16,000, according to Zoopla’s latest price index, it didn't stop us all snooping on our favourite online real estate portal.
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Before we say goodbye to 2021, we are taking a look at the top most viewed houses across both Rightmove and Zoopla that are currently sitting on the property market.
From luxury five-bed mansions to a two bed seaside flat that is looking out to sea, to Californian hills, the people have spoken through their searches in 2021.
Tower Promenade, New Brighton, Over £200,000
Estate agent's Martin and Co said they are delighted to bring to the market this “stunning, luxury penthouse apartment with spectacular, uninterrupted views across the River Mersey”.
The two-bed flat located in the former Chelsea Reach in Wirral boasts a prime location in the popular seaside resort of New Brighton.
Offering its new owners a spacious open plan living, the property briefly comprises a hallway with an intercom and built-in storage leading to a large open plan living space and kitchen, with full height doors accessing the balcony.
The seaside flat, which is on the market for offers over £200,000, also benefits from two double bedrooms and family bathroom as well as gas central heating, double glazing and allocated parking.
Viewed over 1135 times in the last 30 days, this property has caught the eyes of many and is unlikely to be on the market for much longer after being listed in November.
The Tower Promenade property can be viewed here.
Leyfield Road, West Derby, £375,000
The pictures of this property make it easy to understand why it is one of Zoopla’s most viewed homes on the market currently.
Located in the sought after residential area of West Derby, this “delightfully well presented” four bedroom semi-detached property has been listed as an "ideal home for growing families” by estate agents Strike.
The accommodation is beautifully presented having undergone a full refurbishment and is bright and spacious throughout and it has been extended and fully refurbished to an extremely high standard.
Downstairs the property has a large welcoming entrance hall, with a porch and a good-sized front living room, with a feature bay window, letting in lots of natural light.
On the first floor are three good sized double bedrooms, one of which is being used a large dressing room, with built-in storage.
There is a luxurious bathroom, fully tiled with his and hers sink area - something many of us dream to have "when we're rich", along with a wet room and step-down bath with a wall-mounted television.
Outside is a lovely low maintenance garden with a large artificial lawn and composite decked area, making a perfect outdoor living space to sit out and enjoy sunny days and alfresco summer evenings.
To the front of the property is an integral garage and a large private driveway for two cars.
You can view more images of this property on Zoopla here.
Victoria Road, Formby, POA
It will come as no surprise to many that this outstanding property sitting on one of the most exclusive roads in the North West has ranked as one of the most viewed homes currently sitting on Zoopla.
Victoria Road has gained a reputation as one of the most desirable roads in the North West and has even been nicknamed 'Millionaires Row'.
The five-bedroom detached house in Formby is overwhelmed with impressive features and stunning details throughout.
Into the ground floor you are welcomed by a grand entrance hall with porcelain tiled flooring with underfloor heating, a drawing room/study, WC and an impressive cinema room with electric blind, projector and screen.
There is also a spacious sitting room with a feature limestone fire place and an outstanding kitchen/dining/family area which has underfloor heating.
The bar area is well illuminated with glass shelving and two under counter "Caple" wine coolers, in the dining area there is booth seating access out into the garden via bi-folding doors.
The luxe home even offers a gym which has bi-folding doors, mirrored wall, air conditioning and high quality running and weight equipment.
You can view more of the properties impressive images here.
Brook Hey Drive, Kirkby, £135,000
Modern interior isn’t to everyone’s taste, and if you're someone who appreciates a property with a little more character, then this might just be a home for you.
This attractive four bedroom semi-detached family home located in Kirkby is on the market with an asking price of offers in the region of £135,000.
In need of some TLC, the home may require some furnishing updates in order to reflect the personality of it’s new buyers.
The bathroom has been designed to accommodate the needs of a previous owner, with handles situated in the wet room-esque shower.
The property briefly comprises a spacious entrance hall, two reception rooms - one of which boasts a beautiful fireplace, a fully fitted kitchen with a range of wall and base units.
To the first floor there are four well proportioned bedrooms and a family bathroom. The property benefits from gas central heating and double glazing, with ample off road parking and gardens to the front and rear.
You can view the property on Zoopla here.
Merrilocks Road, Crosby, £1,495,000
Estate agents Entwistle Green said they are 'truly delighted' to present this 'rare' opportunity to the market and it is clear to see why.
Let's cut straight to it, this six bedroom home offers not one, or two but three external water features.
The grounds are phenomenal and include a large driveway, ornate pond with a waterfall feature, a 12 x 6 heated swimming pool as well as a decking area with a hot tub and changing rooms including male and female showers.
The property is full of character and completed with a vintage taste.
Sitting on 0.7 acre of land, downstairs the property currently comprises: a porch, cloakroom, hall, three lounge rooms, dining room, WC and an open plan kitchen/morning area.
The first floor includes four double bedrooms and two large bathrooms and the second floor is currently used as a gym and offers a further two bedrooms
Located in Blundellsands, Crosby, this highly sought after area is a stone's throw away from Hall Road train station and Crosby beach.
Agents highly recommend viewing for the Crosby home in order to fully appreciate it.
You can see more pictures of the property on Rightmove here.
Atterbury Street, Dingle, £180,000
With over 814 people viewing this property in the last 30 days, this semi-detached house in Dingle is unlikely to remain on the market for much longer.
After being extended from a two to a four bedroom home, this property now offers copious amounts of space and comes with front and back gardens, too.
The Liverpool home located on Atterbury Street - sitting a stone's throw away from Liverpool city centre - comprises a reception room to the front and a large kitchen diner and ground floor cloaks on the ground floor.
The kitchen diner is potentially one of the selling points of this four-bed property as its modern décor means it is of an impeccable standard that is ready to be lived in.
Upstairs buyers will find double bedrooms, two singles and a family bathroom.
Included in the description, the estate agents outline the property also includes a utility room and study, making a great home for those whose jobs have seen them make a transition to permanent remote working.
The properties full details can be found here.
Shireburn Road, Freshfield, POA
If you have an eye for modern furnishing and are looking for a clear canvas you can make your own, this Liverpool home is likely to tick all your boxes.
One of Righmove's most viewed properties in Merseyside sits on Shireburn Road in the popular location of Freshfield.
Built over three storeys, this 'unique' family home offers every modern comfort, including five en-suite bedrooms - two of which have dressing rooms, a beautiful open plan kitchen, dining and spacious family room.
Listed as 'stunning' by estate agents Colette Gunter, further features include a formal lounge and a cinema/media room.
Externally the property is set in immaculately landscaped gardens which generate a 'refined yet contemporary' environment, with the added advantage of being westerly facing to the rear and views to the front over Formby Golf Course.
While the price is advertised as 'POA', based on recent sales in the local area, we can assume this house will most definitely come in above the one million mark.
All four previous Rightmove listings in the area that have sold in the last five years came in at an average price of £1,260,000, with the most expensive selling for £2,350,000 in 2017.
You can view the property on Rightmove here.
The Approach, Edge Hill, £43,500
Viewed a massive 1715 times by Zoopla users, this home situated in Edge Hill has landed the number one spot for the most viewed home in Merseyside.
The Dorothy is a generously sized two-bedroom terraced property which is listed as being “perfect for young professionals and first-time buyers”.
It’s important to note the exceptional price tag of £43,500 is on the basis of a shared ownership agreement - with other shares also being available to buyers.
Each home in the development comprises a spacious living room which is perfect for relaxation. Leading on to the kitchen area, all homes come inclusive of a fitted kitchen and integrated cooker, hob and extractor fan. A downstairs WC and a door leading out to the private garden complete the ground floor.
Heading upstairs, the homes feature two large bedrooms which offer ample space. A fully fitted family bathroom comes complete with designer tiles to walls and floor.
The brand-new collection of distinctive modern homes is located at the heart of the Edge Lane’s major regeneration area - just a short walk to the Royal Liverpool Hospital, both universities and the city centre.
Each home has been created with comfort firmly in mind and are all complete with fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms.
Additional features include an allocated parking space and a turfed rear garden.
You can view the property in full here.
Fulwood Park, Aigburth, £1,200,000
This stunning five-bedroom detached home is tucked away in the sought after area of Fulwood Park in Aigburth.
Oozing with character, this home offers the perfect combination of both modern and period personality.
It makes the perfect home for those who have had to readjust their lives to the current climate as it homes both a large office space and a private meeting room ideal for home working.
Set across two separate premises, between them this Fulwood Park property offers five reception rooms, two bathrooms and an elegant courtyard seating area.
There is also the added bonus of two kitchens to ensure there are never too many cooks in the kitchen.
The master of the five spacious bedrooms boasts an en-suite, however the rest of the family can benefit from a family bathroom, a downstairs WC and a separate shower room in the properties second building.
On top of the spacious interior, there is a large private garden covering two thirds of an acre.
You can view the property's full details on Rightmove here.
