Bad year forecast for home sales in county

HOUSING markets in parts of Surrey are predicted to be among the worst in Britain this year.

- By VICTORIA SHIPP

Online estate agent Zoopla has forecast that the average UK house price will increase by 1.5 per cent this year - but markets in parts of London and southern England will be sluggish compared to their northern counterparts.

The company’s analysts say this is largely down to affordability pressures from higher house prices, and the fact that the market is still adjusting to higher mortgage rates.

Their analysis also highlighted that the south east region has seen a greater increase in the number of homes for sale, boosting buyer choice, since the start of the current financial year in April 2025, which explains the modest decline in average prices over the following months.