Property Market Update: October 2025

Welcome to the October edition of our UK Property Market Update, reflecting on September 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.

September was steady rather than spectacular. Halifax shows prices broadly flat month‑to‑month and modestly up on last year, while Nationwide reports similar low single‑digit growth.

On the ground, Rightmove’s real‑time view says asking prices nudged up and more deals got agreed, even as higher supply keeps buyers choosy.

Mortgage costs are hovering around the 5% mark on average, which is easing affordability just enough to keep committed buyers moving. The net result: a balanced but competitive market where the best‑presented, best‑priced homes still sell quickly.

Prices: holding pattern, not a downturn

Halifax puts the typical UK home at £298,184, down 0.3% month‑on‑month but still 1.3% higher year‑on‑year. Nationwide’s cross‑check shows +0.5% on the month and +2.2% annually - different methods, same headline: gentle growth, no sign of a slide.

Asking prices & activity: a September uptick

Rightmove’s index shows new sellers asking prices up 0.4% in September to £370,257, now 0.1% below this time last year. Crucially for sellers, sales agreed are 4% higher year‑on‑year, signalling buyers will commit when the price and presentation are right.

Supply: more choice, especially in the South

Stock on the market remains elevated versus last year, giving buyers more room to compare. Rightmove notes the South of England has ~9% more homes for sale than a year ago (versus ~2% elsewhere), and it takes about five days longerto find a buyer there - proof that sharper pricing matters where competition is thickest.

Zoopla: two‑speed market emerges

Zoopla’s HPI shows UK house price growth running at ~1.4% year‑on‑year (to August), with affordable regions still outperforming. Pre‑Budget tax speculation has cooled the £500k+ and £1m+ brackets (demand and new listings both lower), but mainstream segments are largely in line with last year. The average agent carries ~36 listings, up on 2024 - another reason to launch competitively.

Mortgages: averages sit around (and just under) 5%

Moneyfacts’ averages for new fixes are circa 5%, 4.97% for a typical 2‑year and ~5.02% for a 5‑year - down markedly from the 6%+ peaks of 2023. It’s not “cheap money”, but it’s enough to keep affordability moving in the right direction and widen the buyer pool this autumn.

What this means for home sellers

1) Price to win, first time

With more stock, buyers will skip over anything that looks optimistic. Homes launched at the right number are going under offer in weeks, while over‑pitched listings linger and often need reductions.

2) Segment matters

If you’re selling £500k+, expect more pre‑Budget caution: lean into immaculate presentation, realistic pricing, and decisive negotiation. In the mainstream, demand is steady - good photos, strong copy, and quick follow‑up still convert.

3) Use the rates window

Sub‑5% average fixes are supporting buyer decisions. If you’re aiming to complete before year‑end, launch now while rates are stable and autumn buyers are active.

Our take: a balanced but competitive autumn

September reads as stable prices + solid intent + higher choice. That combination rewards sellers who nail price and presentation from day one. Keep it simple: set a tempting guide, stage well, and move fast on interest. In today’s market, a smart launch beats a later reduction and gets you moved before the festive slowdown.