Average UK house prices: last 3 months
The average house price in the UK is now £273,100. This is a rise of 0.8% or £2,200, over the past year.
Property type | Average house price July 2026 | Average house price August 2026 | Average house price September 2026 | Annual price change to September 2026 (£) | Annual price change to September 2026 (%) |
All property | £273,000 | £273,100 | £273,100 | £2,200 | 0.8% |
Flats/maisonettes | £191,400 | £191,600 | £191,200 | -£4,000 | -2% |
Terraced houses | £282,500 | £282,500 | £282,900 | £4,600 | 1.6% |
Semi-detached houses | £324,400 | £324,400 | £324,600 | £3,900 | 1.3% |
Detached houses | £459,300 | £459,300 | £459,100 | £3,600 | 0.8% |
Source: Zoopla data range July to September 2026
Higher mortgage rates result in 7% fewer sales agreed
Sales agreed are 7% lower than a year ago, as higher mortgage rates are pushing up the cost of buying a home. Buyers are making fewer enquiries than last year and are more selective about what they view and make an offer on.
The housing market is still sensitive to mortgage rates. Sales picked up during 2024 when rates fell to between 4% and 4.5%. Higher borrowing costs since April 2026 due to conflict in the Middle East and other economic factors have weakened sales demand.
7% fewer sales were agreed in October compared to a year ago, but it is moving in the right direction - last month there were 9% fewer sales.
Are house prices going up or down?
The biggest pressure on prices is in southern England. House prices are generally higher there, so higher mortgage rates tend to have a bigger impact on what buyers can afford.
In London and the South East, prices are falling in 85% of postcode areas. Average prices in London are 1% lower than a year ago, a fall of £5,400. Prices are also down slightly across the South East, the East of England and the South West.
House prices are still rising across most other parts of the UK, where homes are generally more affordable. Average house prices in the North West are 3.2% higher than a year ago, a rise of £6,600. In the Liverpool, Carlisle and Kilmarnock postcode areas, prices are up by more than 4%.
National figures only tell part of the story. See how house prices are changing in your area to find out what's happening near you.
Homes are selling just as fast as last year despite more choice
There are 7% more homes for sale than a year ago, an increase from 5% that we reported last month. This gives buyers more choice and is resulting in more competition between sellers to find a buyer.
Homes are still selling. Homes that find a buyer are doing so as quickly as last year, taking 44 days on average. This ranges from 19 days in Scotland to 56 days in London.
Why the asking price matters
The asking price directly influences the time it takes to find a buyer. Of the homes that were put up for sale between April 2026 and June 2026 which were priced below their estimated value, 41% found a buyer within 90 days. This emphasises the importance of getting the asking price right. In comparison, only 26% of homes that were priced at least 20% above the estimated value found a buyer within 90 days.
Cutting the price after the home is on the market does not guarantee an immediate sale. Only 19% of homes with a price reduction sold within 90 days, compared with 41% of homes with no reduction.
The moment that homes get the most attention from buyers is when they first go on the market - underlining why getting the price right at the start matters.
Track your home to see its estimated value and how quickly homes like yours are selling nearby. Then speak to a local agent about getting an in-person valuation.
What the Budget could mean for the 2027 housing market
The direction of mortgage rates will influence how the housing market shapes up in 2027. Household confidence and the wider economy will also have an impact.
The Budget's biggest effect could be on mortgage rates, rather than through direct help for buyers. A Budget that steadies financial markets and helps to keep inflation down could help bring borrowing costs down in 2027.
The details of the proposed Your First Home equity loan scheme will help more first-time buyers to buy new builds with a small deposit. If the income caps and price limits are set at the right levels, it could also strengthen demand across the wider housing market.
What does it all mean if your house is on the market or you are looking to move home?
It depends on where you are in your moving journey, the type of home you're buying or selling, and where you live.
First-time buyers
The good news is, this group has more homes to choose from than a year ago and more room to negotiate. However, higher mortgage rates mean budgets may not stretch as far as they did at the start of the year. Rates change all the time so it’s important to speak to a mortgage broker to understand what you can afford before you start your search.
The proposed Your First Home scheme could help first-time buyers buy new builds with a small deposit, but the details are not yet confirmed and set to follow after the Budget.
Understanding your affordability and speaking to a mortgage broker can help you plan your next move.
Home-movers
More choice can make it easier to find your next home. Selling your current home may take more effort, especially in southern England.
Knowing what your home is worth helps you set a realistic budget before you make an offer. Speak to an agent for pricing advice before you put your home on the market.
Sellers in London and the South
Homes in London take 56 days on average to find a buyer, the longest of any UK region, with prices falling in 85% of postcode areas.
Homes priced in line with similar homes nearby get the most interest early on, and homes that need a price cut later are less likely to sell within 90 days - so getting your price right is more important than ever.
Frequently asked questions
Why isn't my home selling?
An asking price that is too high for local demand can prevent a home from selling. 26% of homes priced at least 20% above their estimated value found a buyer within 90 days, compared with 41% of homes priced below it. There are also 7% more homes for sale than a year ago, so buyers have more choice.
Are house prices going up or down?
House prices are still rising across the UK as a whole, up 0.8% over the last year. They're falling in London, down 1%, and in parts of southern England. They're rising fastest in the North West, up 3.2%.
How long does it take to sell a house in the UK?
Homes that sell take 44 days on average to find a buyer, the same as last year. That ranges from 19 days in Scotland (where the buying process is different, and leads to a speedier overall process) to 56 days in London.
Does reducing the asking price help a home sell?
A price reduction does not guarantee a sale. Just 19% of homes with a price cut sold within 90 days, compared with 41% of homes with no reduction. Getting the price right at the start gives a home the best chance of early interest.
Will the Budget affect house prices?
The Budget's biggest effect on the housing market is likely to come through mortgage rates. A Budget that helps keep inflation down could support lower borrowing costs in 2027. Big changes to property taxes look unlikely in the near term.
About the Zoopla House Price Index
The Zoopla House Price Index (HPI) tracks the change in achieved sales price of homes (not asking prices). The index uses sold prices, mortgage valuations and data for recently agreed sales with more input data than any other index. The methodology is designed to accurately track the change in pricing for UK housing. It's revisionary and non-seasonally adjusted.
Download the Zoopla House Price Index, October 2026 (PDF, 410kB)
Notes on this month's data:
Market activity data covers the four weeks to 18 October 2026, compared with the same period in 2025
Mortgage rate comparisons are based on the average rate for a new 75% loan-to-value, five-year fixed mortgage
Zoopla's House Price Index tracks prices across 119 postal areas. In September 2026, 37 of them recorded annual price falls, and these areas hold 35% of homes
Time to sell is the number of days between a home first going on the market and being sold subject to contract
The asking-price analysis covers homes put up for sale between April and June 2026
Source: Zoopla House Price Index, October 2026
Previous House Price Index reports
See more stories from our House Price Index