Average house prices across the UK increased by 10.6% over the year to August 2021, up from 8.5% in July 2021, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Industry experts widely agree that the Covid-19 pandemic has probably caused house buyers to reassess their housing preferences, regarding location, space and lifestyle.
It appears that all levels of the property ladder have been affected but the stats reveal that the average price of detached properties increased by 11.3% in the year to May 2021, in comparison with flats and maisonettes increasing by 6.5% over the same period.
READ MORE: Find out more about house prices here
Prior to the pandemic the land transaction tax in Wales, effective between April 1, 2018 and July 26, 2020, was set at 0% for properties purchased up to and including £180,000 and 3.5% for homes bought over £180,000 and up to and including £250,000, on main residential properties.
But from July 27, 2020 the Welsh Government announced that the threshold for the 0% rate would increase to £250,000 and the price brackets and rates relating to purchases across the whole of the property pricing ladder would change as a result of the effect on the market of the pandemic.
These changes in the rates and price brackets were then extended until June 30 2021, but these pandemic-induced rates have now expired.
The land transaction tax rates prior to the coronavirus pandemic are now the rates that are back in force in Wales from July 1, 2021.
Despite this, a shortage in supply of housing stock seems to have kept prices buoyant, combined with continuing low interests over the period in question - July to September 2021.
Robert Gardner, Nationwide's chief economist says: "Indeed, mortgage applications remained robust at 72,645 in September, more than 10% above the monthly average recorded in 2019. Combined with a lack of homes on the market, this helps to explain why price growth has remained robust."
The 10 most expensive homes that found a new owner between July and September 2021 includes some exclusive homes in the capital city, but the majority are sprawling posh pads out in the country or near the coast.
1. Isle of Anglesey - £2.1m
Surely not a surprise to find out that this was the most expensive house sold within the three-month period being considered.
Its location is incredible but so is the house itself, designed to face the water's edge at a variety of jaunty angles to ensure the best possible and maximum connection to those mesmerising views.
The clever design of two protruding wings of the house gives the home as many opportunities to engage with the sea views from as many vast picture windows as possible.
Called Dolphin House, this contemporary dream home is actually an incredible makeover and full upgrade of the original house on the site.
Built in the 1970s, this property was a designer dream home of that decade, combining large open spaces with angles reaching out to the coast.
With a location this special, it was not a surprise to learn that the vendors were only the second people lucky enough to own and live at this dream home.
They worked incredibly hard to renovate, remodel and extend the house into the immaculate home that was on the market for someone else to enjoy, without all the renovation and building work trauma.
The third group of people to ever live here bought the abode near Menai Bridge in July for £2,155,000 via Jackson-Stops estate agents, Chester.
2. Cyncoed, Cardiff - £1.7m
On one of the most exclusive streets in one of the most expensive suburbs of Cardiff, this substantial home offered a new owner almost 3,400 square feet of prime capital city real estate.
Gated entrance, sweeping drive, six double bedrooms, 21ft kitchen diner and four bathrooms, as well as a grand entrance with sweeping central staircase obviously swept a potential buyer away on a sea of love and they bagged it for a new life at this period abode.
The house sold for £1,775,000 in August.
3. Wenvoe, Vale of Glamorgan - £1.1m
This semi-rural village might be in the Vale, but its proximity to Cardiff and the M4 has made it popular with commuters.
Set in over an acre of grounds, this traditional farmhouse, extended and renovated to a high standard, offered a new owner spacious living accommodation.
This included a vast large kitchen, diner, lounge space as the heart of the home, plus a self-contained annexe, ideal for multi-generational living.
The rural abode sold for £1.1m in July via Savills.
4. Overton, Wrexham - £1m
This period property is so exclusive it's almost impossible to see it from the road behind the high, private hedgerow.
It was located near the vibrant village of Overton-on-Dee, described as a location of unspoiled charm within the stunning scenery on the Wales/England border.
The house, complete with the handsome hedge, sold for £1m in July.
5. Llanishen, Cardiff - £950k
Down a very exclusive gated community of just four detached houses called The Glade, in this popular Cardiff suburb, within walking distance to Llanishen reservoir and nature reserve.
The house sold for £950,000 in July.
6. Mumbles, Gower - £945k
This property was described by the estate agent as a 'hidden gem' and most might agree, if they could find it.
It is only discovered by wandering down a quiet lane, the home is one of a small, gated, private development of individually-designed detached executive homes built by Redrow.
Obviously the new owner did manage to find it, fall in love with it, and buy it for £945,000 in August via Fine & Country Swansea.
7. Rhossili, Gower - £930k
This renovation project was once a rather sad-looking period home, but the previous owner transformed it into a dream home by the sea.
The new stone entrance porch, with first floor balcony at the front securing amazing, panoramic sea and coastal views across the fields and village of Rhossili on Gower Peninsula.
There's a huge first floor terrace at the rear too, as well as large, light-filled, contemporary rooms and luxury fixtures, fittings and flooring.
Find out more about the transformation of this coastal property here.
The Good Estate Agent Sales & Lettings sold this one for £930,000 in September.
Help with your hunt for a home here:
8. Langstone, Newport - £900k
When this dream house recently sold, the new owner was lucky as all the renovation work had been done, including the addition of a two-storey extension.
The accommodation sprawls over 4,000 square feet and features large light spacious rooms including a massive kitchen diner and a beautifully landscaped, private garden.
The house sold for £900,000 in August via estate agent M2.
9. Catsash, Newport - £890k
The estate agent who sold this home stated: "This impressive, superb family home has origins dating back to 1920.
"It was substantially extended in 2006, creating a spacious interior with high ceilings covering 4,376 square feet of accommodation.
"Positioned on a large plot with countryside views overlooking the Celtic Manor Golf Course and incorporating extensive parking, double garage, gardens, additional land and outbuildings."
M2 sold the home in September for £890,000.
10. Groesfaen, Rhondda Cynon Taf - £843k
This detached barn conversion oozes character and oodles of space that obviously captivate a potential buyer to make an offer.
The huge, former arched barn doors entrance is just one of many lovely features at this stone former barn.
The beautiful rural location offered views and land outside and five bedrooms, galleried landing, two bathrooms and a huge amount of sociable space via a large family room opening out into the garden, an even bigger kitchen diner with bonus lounge area.
Then an even bigger living room provides the ultimate party place with doors out to the lawns and sunken garden sitting area.
The master bedroom has a wall of glass and French doors out onto a private balcony that provides fantastic views over the surrounding countryside.
The barn was sold in August for £843,000 by estate agent HRT, Cowbridge.
The top ten least expensive houses sold in Wales during this time are listed below:
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