Common new vendor asking costs fell by 1.8% (£6,695) this month to £358,138. This larger-than-usual December decline means costs finish 2025 0.6% (£2,059) decrease than on the finish of 2024.
Uncertainty linked to hypothesis round potential property tax rises in November’s Price range, circulating from as early as August, contributed to extra subdued market exercise and weaker pricing within the second half of the yr.
The variety of new sellers coming to market within the first half of 2025 was 9% greater than in the identical interval of 2024, earlier than reversing to 4% beneath final yr’s ranges within the second half. Purchaser demand adopted the same sample, operating 3% forward of 2024 within the first half of the yr however falling to six% beneath within the second half.
Regardless of the slowdown, general gross sales exercise remained comparatively optimistic, with the variety of gross sales agreed ending the yr 3% greater than in 2024 – a development Rightmove hopes will proceed into the so-called Boxing Day Bounce.
Trying forward, the property portal expects market situations in 2026 to extra intently resemble the stronger first half of 2025, reasonably than the confidence-hit second half. Purchaser affordability is anticipated to enhance, whereas the availability of properties on the market stays at its highest degree for a decade.
Consequently, Rightmove forecasts stronger market exercise subsequent yr, with modest upward strain on costs and the typical asking value of latest listings rising by round 2% in 2026.
Rightmove’s Colleen Babcock mentioned: “Cheaper price progress supported purchaser affordability and drove exercise within the first half of the yr, even after the April stamp obligation deadline in England. Within the second half of 2025, uncertainty brought on by rumours of property tax modifications in November’s Price range swirled, some from as early as August. This had an influence on pricing and exercise, as sellers tried to entice nervous patrons. The market will quickly profit from the normal enhance in home-moving exercise from Boxing Day.
“Rightmove’s Boxing Day Bounce is an annual occasion the place we see many start or resume their plans to maneuver after the distraction of Christmas. With the turkey and trimmings barely off the desk, annually we see individuals heading straight to Rightmove to browse the contemporary listings on the market and picture how completely different subsequent Christmas may look.”
Matt Smith, Rightmove’s mortgage commentator, added: “We’re anticipating to finish the yr with a Financial institution Price minimize, which might be good for confidence heading into the Rightmove Boxing Day Bounce. It’s unlikely that it’s going to trigger a lot motion in mortgage charges – the markets are very a lot anticipating December’s minimize to go forward, and lenders have proven their hand early, chopping charges and competing to safe end-of-year enterprise.
“The headline is that home-movers can be coming into 2026 taking a look at cheaper common mortgage charges than they had been firstly of 2025, serving to affordability. Those that are seeing barely decrease home costs of their space in comparison with final yr and should have additionally had an end-of-year pay rise, will see their affordability improved additional.
“Many home-movers may also see that the quantity that they’ll borrow has elevated, as lender have been rolling out the loan-to-income and stress fee modifications that had been permitted by the regulator earlier this yr.”
Property business reacts to new Rightmove Home Value Index
