THE Covid pandemic has made people rethink a lot, not least where they call home after a greater emphasis on green spaces and remote working. 

People no longer need to commute to offices if their jobs can be effectively carried out at home while being stuck inside under various lockdowns has given some people a new-found appreciation for the outdoors. 

In last week's budget, Rishi Sunak extended the stamp duty holiday from the end of March until the end of June, then a new £250,000 threshold will apply until the end of September.

With this extension, it could be the perfect time to think about moving.  

Aspiring home-buyers could also benefit from a new 5 per cent deposit mortgage scheme, which will be available to current home-owners as well as first-time buyers looking for a property for up to £600,000.

Meanwhile, people looking to sell their home and cash in on higher prices may be able to get a good deal with hundreds expected to move to the region for Treasury North. 

To help you consider whether it's time to sell up and move, property site Zoopla has revealed how much house prices have increased across the North-East in the last 12 months.

County Durham

Barnard Castle - £221,444 current value, a change of £5,334 or 2.47 per cent

Bishop Auckland - £124,697, a change of £8,927 or 7.71 per cent

Chester-le-Street - £155,107 current value, a change of £7,138 or 4.82 per cent

Crook - £122,171 current value, a change of £2,045 or 1.7 per cent

Durham city - £164,693 current value, a change of £6,377 or 4.03 per cent

East Boldon - £245,163 current value, a change of £13,844 or 5.99 per cent

Houghton Le Spring - £141,255 current value, a change of £4,633 or 3.39 per cent

Peterlee - £94,976 current value, a change of £3,434 or 3.75 per cent

Spennymoor - £130,378 current value, a change of £6,350 or 5.12 per cent 

Trimdon Station - £96,947 current value, a change of £2,917 or 3.1 per cent

Wingate - £116,169 current value, a change of £4,028 or 3.59 per cent

Tees Valley

Darlington - £161,235 current value, a change of £759 or 0.47 per cent per cent

Billingham - £159,376 current value, a change of £6,928 or 4.54 per cent

Middlesbrough - £142,909 current value, a change of £3,239 or 2.32 per cent

Redcar - £145,137 current value, a change of £tr5,114 or 3.65 per cent

Skelton-in-Cleveland -£138,496 current value, a change of £580 or per cent 0.42 per cent