Property Market Update: September 2025

Welcome to the September edition of our UK Property Market Update, reflecting on August 2025. We’ve pulled together the latest insights from Halifax, Nationwide, Rightmove, Zoopla, and Moneyfacts to give home sellers a clear picture of where things stand.

Market holds firm as summer winds down

Halifax put the average UK house price at £299,331 in August, up 0.3% on the month and 2.2% higher than last year. Nationwide echoed that trend, showing annual growth of around 2%. Rightmove’s asking price index dipped 1.3% in August – a seasonal drop in line with holiday patterns. The picture is one of steadiness: prices are broadly flat month-to-month, modestly up year-on-year, and very much holding firm.

Serious buyers still in the market

Despite the usual distractions of August, buyer activity remained resilient. Zoopla says demand is 4% above this time last year, with sales agreed up 5%. Rightmove noted sales agreed were 8% higher than in August 2024, making it one of the busiest late summers in recent years. For sellers, this means the pool of motivated buyers is still out there – and competitively priced homes are moving.

Supply surge changes the game

More choice is reshaping the market. There are now roughly 10% more homes for sale compared with last year, giving buyers the upper hand. Sellers who pitch too high risk languishing; those who set realistic prices are securing offers in weeks, not months. Around a third of sellers needed a price cut before shifting their property in August – the highest since 2023. The lesson: getting pricing right from the start is more important than ever.

Mortgage relief supports affordability

The Bank of England’s recent cut to 4.00% has pulled average mortgage rates down. Both 2- and 5-year fixes now sit below 5%, down from over 6% last summer. Some lenders are even offering sub-4% deals. Combined with wage growth, this is improving affordability and encouraging more buyers back into the market.

Autumn outlook: balanced and competitive

As we head into autumn, the UK property market looks stable, balanced, and competitive. Prices are holding firm, demand is steady, and supply is strong. Sellers have more competition, but with motivated buyers still searching – and mortgage rates softening – there’s a real opportunity to secure a sale before year-end.