Housing Market Snapshot: The Picture Now & A Look Ahead
If I was asked to describe the UK housing market right now - in November 2025 - in one word, it’d be cautious. It is certainly more steady than spectacular. While there’s no sign of an autumn ‘bounce’, homeowners are still seeking valuations and coming to the market, there are some good buyers around and we’re still seeing homes inching along to completion.
So, the big question for homeowners planning to sell in Camberley (and no doubt elsewhere too) is:
“Would it be better to sell our home now or to wait till the New Year?”
Hopefully this article will help to answer this...
Now or later?
The market earlier this year was undoubtedly more buoyant, driven by falling mortgage rates and a burst of buyer activity. Things have slowed, and the latest data shows that prices are broadly flat. While there are regional fluctuations, it seems that sellers in the south of England are currently feeling the squeeze from higher supply outstripping demand.
What the data says
Rightmove’s October update reveals:
Average asking prices are at roughly £371,000 nationally, a modest monthly uptick but essentially flat year-on-year (-0.1% annually in their October release)
Sales agreed are up year-to-date, indicating more deals completing compared with in 2024
Meanwhile, Zoopla research shows:
New sales listings have dipped for the first time in two years, pointing to a market that’s pausing for breath
Regional picture: South East vs UK
Perhaps fuelled by more abundant opportunities for remote working, housing market performance in northern regions and parts of Scotland and Wales are seeing stronger annual gains. In London and the south east, Rightmove notes a marked increase in homes for sale, which is in turn impacting prices and the length time on the market.
To understand these trends more, consider the following by way of context:
Mortgage rates and affordability: rates have come down from their 2023 highs, which helped activity earlier in 2025, but affordability remains stretched in the south east where prices are high relative to earnings
Supply dynamics: southern England has seen an uplift in listings, giving buyers more choice and reducing upward price pressure
Policy and sentiment: the big elephant in the room with talk of tax or stamp-duty changes ahead of the Autumn Budget! As MoneyWeek notes, this has naturally made some higher-value sellers cautious, tempering confidence
A six-month forecast (to May 2026)
With the significant caveat that the Autumn Budget will have a huge bearing on the near-term forecast, property experts’ consensus gives cause for cautious optimism for homeowners with regards to prices and transactions:
Prices:
UK-wide, look for gentle gains or flat performance — think 0–3% over the next six months rather than a sharp rebound. The big variable here is the stability of mortgage rates. If rates fall further than markets expect, this would lift prices faster. On the flipside, any surprise tightening in policy or higher borrowing costs would hamper growth.
Volumes:
Don’t expect transaction volumes overall to be too affected by any downturn. Indeed, Rightmove’s reported rise in sales agreed year-to-date suggests momentum, albeit we can’t ignore Zoopla’s cautionary note on new sales falling, so expect modest transaction growth rather than a boom.
What should you do now (if you’re a buyer or seller)?
For buyers:
My best advice is to be prepared and ready to react. Rates are lower than 2023 peaks and lenders are competitive in places. Make sure you have your affordability checks done, get a mortgage agreed in principle, and you’ll be ready to move quickly on well-priced stock.
For sellers:
It’s clear that realistic pricing will be rewarded, especially in the south east. Make sure your property is being shown and presented in its best light, and that agents are being proactive in the marketing. And, where possible, bundle extra incentives to entice buyers and stand out. Things like being flexible on completion dates and agreeing to undertake small repairs can tip the balance in your favour in attracting the best buyers.
The bottom line
To wrap up, I’ll come back to my earlier ‘steady rather than spectacular’ comment. That’s where things currently are; we are in the realms of marginal price gains and buyer caution ahead of the looming Budget. Mostly likely, the coming six months will see a continuation of that – albeit I hope that the Chancellor can breathe some life into the economy, and housing market in turn. So, it’s all eyes on Rachel Reeves and the red briefcase on 26th November!
In the meantime, if you want to discuss a future sale or simply get some advice, I’d welcome the opportunity to speak with you.