Wellingtons Property Edit - February 2026
Welcome to February's edition of The Wellingtons Property Edit
With Spring just around the corner, the green shoots are not only limited to the garden – they can also be seen in the property market.
In this second edition of our new monthly newsletter, we’ll summarise the latest happenings in the property market – both locally in and around Surrey Heath, and nationally. We’ll also share expert insights, notable industry news and any new listings in snapshot format.
Market Watch
The average UK asking price is £368,019, virtually unchanged in February
Prices are still up 2.8% since December — the strongest start to a year since 2020 — driven by post-Budget confidence
There is a clear north-south divide: Northern Ireland leads with +7.6% annual growth, while London is down 0.7% and parts of the South are marginally negative
Supply is at an 11-year high for this time of year, giving buyers more choice and stronger negotiating power
The average 5-year fixed mortgage rate has fallen to 4% — its lowest since 2022. The best-buy two-year fixes are at around 3.50%
Forecasters still expect modest price growth of 1.5%–4% for 2026, with the strongest gains likely in the Midlands, northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Sources: Rightmove, Zoopla, Show House
Wellingtons Spotlight
New blog: Why choose an independent estate agent?
In our latest article, we look at the value of choosing an independent estate agent over their high street counterparts, offering some compelling evidence.
Property News Snapshot
Latest property market moves and forecasts (Money Week)
This round up features Land Registry data as well as updates from the biggest mortgage lenders and property indexes to give an unrivalled overview of the market.
98% mortgage launched for first-time buyers (Financial Times)
News story detailing Santander's launch of a new 98% mortgage exclusively for first-time buyers, which aims to fix a ‘generational problem’.
Why day 11 is make-or-break when selling your home (House Beautiful)
This feature looks at the importance of timing when selling your home – specifically relating to achieving the best possible sale price.