REMAX Estate Agents
As we transition into autumn, the UK property market is demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of changing economic conditions, evolving buyer behaviour, and ongoing political uncertainty. September surpassed many analysts’ expectations, and October is poised to be a pivotal month for both buyers and sellers, with promising signs of stability and growth.
📊 National Property Market: Stability Returns
After a quieter summer, September brought renewed momentum. According to the latest data, UK house prices rose by 0.5% month-on-month, pushing the average property value to around £271,995. Year-on-year growth now stands at 2.2%, a reassuring sign that the market is not only recovering but also stabilising, despite higher borrowing costs and broader economic pressures.
This modest growth reflects the underlying strength of buyer demand and a housing market that remains fundamentally undersupplied. While affordability remains a key challenge for many, the combination of more realistic asking prices and increasing lender competition is helping keep the market moving.
🌍 Regional Highlights: A Diverse Market Landscape
The regional picture remains mixed, but affordability-driven locations are leading the way:
- Northern Ireland is seeing the most substantial annual growth at around 9.6%.
- Wales continues to outperform much of England, with steady buyer demand and competitive pricing.
- London and the South East, by contrast, are showing signs of stagnation, with high-end homes particularly affected by ongoing tax uncertainty.
Houses remain in greater demand than flats, as buyers prioritise space and lifestyle flexibility. Entry-level homes and family properties are performing exceptionally well, with competitive bidding still common in specific price brackets.
🏗️ Supply & New Build Market: A Slower Rebound
Despite strong buyer interest, housing supply remains tight. Leading developers such as Taylor Wimpey have indicated that pre-pandemic build levels are unlikely to return in the near future, citing rising construction costs, planning delays, and tighter lending conditions.
This ongoing shortage of new homes continues to underpin house prices. For buyers, it means competition remains strong for quality listings, and for sellers, well-presented properties priced correctly are attracting serious attention.
📜 Policy & Tax Updates: What’s Changing?
There’s growing speculation ahead of the Autumn Budget about potential changes to property taxation, including the possibility of replacing or supplementing Stamp Duty with an annual property tax. The prospect of capital gains reforms has also caused some hesitation in the higher-value end of the market.
At the same time, ongoing reforms such as the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and the proposed Renters’ Rights Bill are reshaping the landscape for landlords and leaseholders. Meanwhile, HMRC has stepped up its scrutiny of landlords, recovering over £107 million from property-related tax investigations last year, a reminder of the importance of accurate reporting ahead of the introduction of Making Tax Digital in April 2026.
📉 Challenges Ahead: Navigating Potential Headwinds
While the market’s fundamentals remain strong, several challenges persist:
- Mortgage affordability remains a constraint for some buyers, although competition among lenders is leading to more attractive fixed-rate deals.
- Policy uncertainty is weighing on decision-making, particularly in higher-value segments.
- Regional divergence is likely to widen, with affordability hotspots continuing to outperform more expensive markets.
📍 Local Focus: Barry, Cardiff & South Wales
Here in Barry and the wider South Wales region, the market remains active and well-balanced. Realistic pricing is key, as competitively priced homes often attract multiple viewings within days of being launched.
Family homes with gardens, parking, and flexible living space are leading demand, while modern apartments near transport links are proving popular with first-time buyers and young professionals.
Cardiff continues to see strong interest from relocators and investors seeking rental yield opportunities, while Barry’s coastal lifestyle, strong transport links, and improving town infrastructure are drawing growing attention from buyers priced out of nearby city markets.
🔎 Outlook for the Rest of 2025
Looking ahead, most forecasts point to modest house price growth of 1%–3% for the remainder of the year. Interest rate cuts, if they arrive earlier than expected, could provide an additional boost to demand as we head into 2026. This growth potential should inspire optimism in both buyers and sellers.
While uncertainty persists regarding tax reform and broader economic conditions, the fundamentals —low supply, strong buyer demand, and a still-resilient jobs market — continue to underpin the UK housing sector. This resilience should provide a sense of security to all stakeholders in the market.
📞 Thinking of Moving This Autumn?
If you’re considering selling your property before the end of the year, now is the time to act. Buyer demand remains strong, mortgage lenders are actively competing on rates, and correctly priced homes are securing excellent results.
Contact REMAX Estate Agents today to arrange your free, no-obligation property valuation and take advantage of the busiest autumn market we’ve seen in years.
📍 REMAX Estate Agents Your Local Experts in Sales, Lettings & Property Management
📞 01446788675 📧 info@remaxestateagents.co.uk
