Overview

• Twenty-two percent of UK homes have lingered on the market for over six months, underscoring a widening gap between seller expectations and buyer willingness to pay.
• Estate agents are now holding an average of 37 properties each, up from 32 a year ago, as listings reach their highest level in a decade.
• Annual house price inflation slowed to 1.4% in May, with the market on track for a 5% rise in sales and inflation forecast to remain between 1% and 2% this year.
• High-value areas including west central London, Torquay and Truro saw prices fall by more than 1% over the past year, while parts of the North West and Scotland posted gains exceeding 3.5%.
• Modest easing of mortgage rates in 2025 and new taxes on second homeowners and landlords are weakening demand in some regions and spurring more investor sales.