Overview

• Halifax reported a 0.3% monthly decline in September, taking the average price to £298,184, with annual growth slowing to 1.3%.
• Nationwide’s index showed a 0.5% monthly rise for September, highlighting mixed near-term signals across measures.
• Halifax said affordability remains tight but improving, mortgage deals have steadied, and it expects only modest growth through year‑end.
• Government proposals this week would require more upfront information from sellers and could introduce earlier binding contracts, changes aimed at reducing failed transactions and buyer costs.
• Regional trends diverged, with Northern Ireland up 6.5% and the North East up 4.8% year on year, London up 0.6%, and the South West slightly down, while the typical first-time buyer home cost £236,811, up 1.7%.