UK Home Asking Prices Fall Sharply in November Amid Economic Uncertainty

Asking prices for homes in the UK saw a significant drop in November, falling by 1.4% to an average of £366,592, according to property platform Rightmove. The decline is notably steeper than the typical 0.8% dip seen in November over the past decade and reflects growing concerns about the housing market following recent government budget measures.

The downturn has been most pronounced in the “top-of-the-ladder” segment, with larger homes, including five-bedroom and detached four-bedroom properties, experiencing a sharp 3.3% drop in asking prices. This slowdown is attributed to a combination of political and economic uncertainty, compounded by recent changes to stamp duty and a lack of substantial support for first-time buyers in the latest budget.

Tim Bannister, Head of Property Data at Rightmove, pointed out that the market is still grappling with the aftermath of these financial changes. “There’s been a lot for home-movers to process over the past few weeks, and the market seems to still be digesting it,” he said.

Despite the current slump, there are signs of recovery as the Bank of England’s recent interest rate cuts begin to take effect. Rightmove has reported an uptick in buyer activity, and the property platform forecasts a 4% rise in asking prices in 2025, marking the highest growth expected since the post-lockdown boom of 2021.

So far this year, asking prices have increased by 1.2% year-on-year, in line with Rightmove’s expectations of a modest 1% annual rise as the market slows heading into December. In addition, a 23% rise in active house hunters and a 26% increase in agreed sales compared to last year suggest that interest rate reductions have begun to stimulate demand.

However, with a 6% year-on-year increase in the number of sellers, the market is seeing an abundance of supply, which could present challenges for price growth. Bannister remains optimistic, emphasizing that lower mortgage rates will improve affordability and buyer confidence. Yet, he cautioned sellers to be realistic about pricing. “Sellers will need to price competitively to secure buyers in a market with an abundance of choice,” he said.

As the UK housing market enters the traditionally busy spring and summer periods, Bannister noted that the speed at which mortgage rates decrease in 2025 will play a crucial role in determining market activity.