House price growth holds steady in February
- Annual house price growth unchanged at 1.0%
- House prices were up 0.3% month on month
- Continued improvement in affordability helped drive first-time buyer activity in 2025
Commenting on the figures, Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist, said:
“Annual house price growth remained steady at 1.0% in February. Prices increased by 0.3% month on month, after taking account of seasonal effects.
“This reinforces the view of a modest recovery after a dip at the end of 2025, most likely reflecting uncertainty around potential property tax changes ahead of the Budget. Nevertheless, the number of mortgages approved for house purchase remain close to the levels prevailing before the pandemic.
“Looking across 2025 as whole, total housing market transactions were 10% higher than in 2024. As we explored in our Housing Affordability Report, improved affordability and an easing in credit availability has helped to support first-time buyer activity, with mortgage completions up 18% year on year.
“Home mover transactions involving a mortgage have also recovered over the past year, with activity up 15% year on year.
“There has also been a gradual increase in the number of buy to let purchases involving a mortgage, although activity remains quite subdued compared to historic levels, reflecting the continued headwinds impacting this part of the market. For example, the higher interest rate environment tends to exert more of a drag on landlord demand (rather than owner occupier), while changes to the regulatory environment have also impacted landlord sentiment.
“Cash transactions last year were at a similar level to 2024. In recent years, there had been something of a decline in the share of cash purchases, which accounted for 35% of transactions in 2025, down from a peak of 42% in 2023.
“Housing market activity is likely to recover in the coming quarters, especially if the improving affordability trend seen last year is maintained as expected.”
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