Strong market could see 2% rise in house asking prices

PROPERTY website Rightmove predicted that stronger housing market activity could lead to a 2% increase in average asking prices in 2026, despite a quieter market at the end of 2025.

- By VICKY SHAW & GILLIAN ADAMS

Rightmove said prices usually fall in December, but last month's decrease was bigger than usual.

Across Britain, 2025 ended with average asking prices at 0.6% (£2,059) less than late 2024, according to the website.

Annual growth in asking prices was strongest in the North West of England (2.6%), flat in London (0.0%) and most negative in the South West and South East (both at minus 2.7%), according to figures from the website.

Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove, said: "Lower price growth supported buyer affordability and drove activity in the first half of the year, even after the April stamp duty deadline in England.

"In the second half of 2025, uncertainty caused by rumours of property tax changes in November's Budget swirled, some from as early as August.

"This had an impact on pricing and activity, as sellers tried to entice nervous buyers."