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UK House Prices Fall as Stamp Duty Changes Reshape Market

April saw a 0.6% monthly decline in house prices, the largest since August 2023, following a surge in March transactions driven by tax deadline pressures.

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Overview

  • UK house prices dropped by 0.6% in April, reducing the average property value to £270,752, as per Nationwide's latest data.
  • The annual house price growth rate slowed to 3.4% in April, down from 3.9% in March, reflecting a cooling market after the stamp duty threshold reversion on April 1.
  • March 2025 saw property transactions more than double year-on-year, with 177,370 sales as buyers rushed to complete purchases before tax changes took effect.
  • Major lenders, including Barclays and Coventry Building Society, have introduced mortgage rates below 4%, signaling increased affordability for potential buyers.
  • Experts predict a subdued housing market in the short term, with activity expected to recover gradually over the summer, supported by easing mortgage rates and stable economic conditions.