As the UK housing market faces ongoing challenges, analysts remain divided on the future trajectory of prices, with some predicting a further slowdown, while others point to signs of resilience. This increase, albeit small, suggests that there is still demand in the market despite ongoing economic pressures.
Modest Growth Amid Uncertainty
Robert Gardner, Chief Economist at Nationwide, told birminghamLive, “November saw a slight softening in the rate of annual house price growth to 1.8%, from 2.4% in October. However, prices increased by 0.3% month on month, after taking account of seasonal effects.” Despite this slowdown in growth, the stability of house prices over recent months stands out. Nationwide’s findings indicate that the housing market has been relatively steady, with prices rising at a modest pace and the number of mortgages approved for house purchases remaining steady, following pre-pandemic levels.
The ongoing modest increase in house prices could be attributed to multiple factors, including the strength of the UK labour market and the supply-demand imbalance in the housing sector. “The structural undersupply of property is underpinning the market and preventing prices from falling further,” said Darryl Dhoffer, Founder of Bedford-based mortgage company The Mortgage Geezer. This undersupply has been a key feature of the housing market for several years, pushing prices up despite wider economic challenges.
With a steady demand for properties and no significant crashes on the horizon, housing affordability could also improve, especially if income growth continues to outpace house price growth. Furthermore, the possibility of reduced borrowing costs, should the Bank of England lower the base rate in the coming months, could give the property market another boost.
Experts Highlight Resilience in the Property Market
Despite the pressures of high inflation and interest rates, many experts remain confident in the property market’s resilience. Experts like Katy Eatenton, a Mortgage Specialist at Lifetime Wealth Management, believe that the market is adjusting to a slower pace rather than experiencing a collapse. “The fact that property prices grew in a month of crippling uncertainty ahead of the Budget shows how resilient the market is,” she commented. Eatenton anticipates a rebound in property demand come December, especially as people who have postponed their transactions will likely re-enter the market in the new year.
However, other experts acknowledge the challenges ahead. Michelle Lawson, Director at Lawson Financial, argues that 2026 may need to see a surge in innovation to stimulate the market. She also suggests that a cut in the Bank Rate could be crucial to kickstart movement in the housing sector, especially as the current economic environment still feels fragile. Looking to the near future, the UK housing market is expected to maintain its current trajectory, with gradual improvements likely if the economic conditions shift in favour of buyers.
