News & insights - House prices

Several lenders have made their mortgages more accessible in recent weeks, boosting borrowers’ chances of buying a home.

Demand from property buyers declined in March, with house prices flattening in most areas of the UK, according to the latest UK Residential survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Homeowners plan green improvements but cost remains a barrier. Learn more today

House prices edged down by -0.1% in February, according to Halifax’s latest annual house price index , although annual growth stayed at 2.9%, the same as January.

First-time buyer and home mover numbers were up by almost a third in the final three months of last year compared to a year ago, according to UK Finance , making 2024 a better-than-expected year for the mortgage market.

House prices continued to increase in February, according to Nationwide’s latest House Price Index , with the average property price rising 0.4% month on month to reach £270,493.

Property sales got off to a slow start in January, according to the latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), although activity is expected to pick up over next few months.

First-time buyers with a smaller deposit to put down can now purchase a flat using the £5k Deposit Mortgage from Yorkshire Building Society and Accord (Yorkshire’s Intermediary arm).

House prices reached a new record high in January, according to the latest Halifax House Price Index, despite annual growth slowing to 3%, the slowest rate seen since July.

Housing affordability in the UK has shown a “modest improvement” over the past year, according to Nationwide, although buyers continue to face challenges particularly in certain areas.

UK house prices ended the year up 4.7% year on year in December, according to Nationwide’s latest House Price Index, with northern regions seeing stronger price growth than southern areas.

After weeks of speculation that we might see one more interest rate reduction in December, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has voted 6-3 in favour of leaving the base rate at 4.75%, with 3 members voting for a cut.

Inflation jumped to its highest level in eight months in the year to November, according to latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Positive employment figures and easing mortgage rates helped boosted house prices in November, according to two of Britain’s biggest lenders, despite affordability remaining a challenge for buyers.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of homebuyers who are currently renting would consider a ‘fixer-upper’ property if it meant being able to buy at a lower price.

House prices climbed by 0.1% in October compared to 0.6% the preceding month, with budget uncertainty likely to have contributed to the slowdown.

Inflation dropped to 1.7% in the 12 months to September, the first time it has fallen below the Bank of England’s 2% target in more than three years, but what does this mean for your mortgage?

It’s no secret that sending your children off to university is an expensive endeavour, and if you’re rattling around in a house which now feels empty, you may be wondering if downsizing could give you some extra financial freedom.

The ‘Bank of Family’ is set to give a record £9.2 billion to help family members get onto the property ladder this year, with nearly half of buyers receiving financial support from parents and grandparents.

Lower mortgage rates helped boost the housing market last month with a growing number of chartered surveyors reporting an increase in new buyer enquiries.

Property prices in August rose to their highest level since 2022, according to Halifax’s latest House Price Index, with the average price of a home in the UK now at £292,505.

House prices are up 2.4% compared to this time last year, according to Nationwide, the fastest rate of annual growth seen since December 2022.

August’s base rate reduction has boosted buyer demand, according to property website Rightmove , with buyer numbers up by nearly a fifth compared to the same period last year.

House prices edged up in July following three relatively flat months, with prices increasing by 0.8% in July and 2.3% annually, the highest annual growth rate seen since January this year.

Growing numbers of borrowers are choosing longer mortgage terms so they can keep their monthly payments down and meet lenders’ affordability requirements.