Common UK property costs edged down barely in April as annual home worth progress halved, with first-time purchaser costs at their lowest stage up to now this 12 months.

The 8 UK areas the place home costs are nonetheless surging regardless of nationwide 0.1% dip (Picture: Getty)
Annual home worth progress halved in April in contrast with March, as rising residing prices have led to larger warning amongst households, based on an index. The slowdown in home worth progress may current recent alternatives for these trying to get a foot on the property ladder, as Halifax revealed that common costs paid by first-time consumers are at their lowest level up to now this 12 months.
The typical UK home worth dipped by 0.1% month on month in April, following a 0.5% decline in March, Halifax confirmed. The autumn introduced the typical property worth in April to £299,313. Annual progress within the worth of a typical dwelling dropped to 0.4% in April, from 0.8% in March. Regionally, eight areas noticed costs develop by as a lot as 7.6%. Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages, Halifax, stated: “After a robust begin to the 12 months, latest international developments have added a larger diploma of uncertainty to the outlook.
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Northern Eire noticed home costs rise by as a lot as 7.4%. (Picture: Getty)
“Specifically, greater vitality costs have fed into inflation expectations, prompting markets to reassess the trail for rates of interest – a shift that has already pushed up borrowing prices for a lot of consumers.
“This understandably results in extra warning amongst some households, with the price of residing as soon as once more entrance of thoughts and further thought being given to deliberate property strikes.
“Even so, the housing market continues to show the resilience that has been its hallmark lately.
“Whereas exercise is prone to cool within the close to time period, the underlying image stays considered one of relative stability, supported by wage progress that continues to outpace home worth inflation.
“One other necessary issue is that almost all of current householders are on fixed-rate mortgages, which means they’re largely insulated from short-term modifications in rates of interest.”
Ms Bryden famous that, whereas a slower tempo of home worth progress could also be “disappointing information” for current householders, secure costs will probably be “useful” for these trying to step onto the property ladder.
She stated: “The typical worth paid by first-time consumers has fallen barely to £238,908, its lowest stage up to now this 12 months.”
The place are home costs rising throughout UK?
Throughout the UK, Halifax stated Northern Eire is main annual home worth progress, with common costs climbing by 7.6% over the previous 12 months.
Scotland additionally posted spectacular progress, recording a 4.0% annual rise.
Throughout England, stronger worth progress stays largely concentrated in northern areas, based on the report.
The North East witnessed costs surge by 4.5% over the 12 months, whereas the North West recorded annual home worth progress of three.4%.
Common home costs within the West Midlands elevated by 2.0%, whereas Yorkshire and the Humber noticed progress of 1.0%.
Home costs in Wales have continued to lose momentum, with annual progress of simply 0.7% recorded, whereas the East Midlands, noticed progress of 0.6%.
Sarah Coles, head of non-public finance at AJ Bell, stated: “In case you’re contemplating pausing a purchase order within the hope that costs preserve dropping, it is price allowing for that future actions available in the market are by no means assured.
“Whereas costs have fallen this month, the Financial institution of England figures present mortgage approvals for purchases rose in February and March, so we may nonetheless see this feed by into an uptick in consumers and rising costs once more.”
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Karen Noye, a mortgage professional at wealth supervisor Quilter, stated: “For consumers and people approaching remortgage, the message is to not attempt to name the underside of the market.
“The extra sensible level is that mortgage pricing may transfer shortly in both course, so debtors ought to assessment choices early and be able to act if lenders reprice.”
Mark Harris, chief government of mortgage dealer SPF Non-public Shoppers, stated: “First-time consumers will probably be inspired as home costs stay regular slightly than soar.”
Nathan Emerson, chief government officer of property professionals’ physique Propertymark, stated: “The speed of inflation stays a key concern for many individuals, particularly as there may be widespread hypothesis that the Financial institution of England might probably must implement measured base fee will increase over the approaching months to finest regulate potential future monetary instability.
“There’ll doubtless be a way of tension throughout the summer season months, particularly for these with tracker mortgage merchandise, and with mortgage offers which can be on account of expire.
“It is going to be necessary for individuals to research what new mortgage merchandise may be obtainable to them and to make plans to assist navigate round any elevated expenditures.” Beneath are common home costs and the annual change, based on Halifax:
Home worth progress by UK area in April 2026
- East Midlands, £246,997, 0.6%
- Jap England, £333,457, minus 0.7%
- London, £536,051, minus 1.4%
- North East, £183,445, 4.5%
- North West, £248,945, 3.4%
- Northern Eire, £224,851, 7.6%
- Scotland, £222,448, 4.0%
- South East, £383,044, minus 2.0%
- South West, £300,758, minus 1.1%
- Wales, £230,952, 0.7%
- West Midlands, £265,713, 2.0%
- Yorkshire and the Humber, £216,915, 1.0%

















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