Housing Insight Report: March 2026

Buyer activity and sales agreed picked up this month as the housing market entered the spring season, with increased stock levels giving consumers more choice despite ongoing affordability pressures. Meanwhile, the rental market remained highly competitive, as tenant demand continued to outstrip supply and concerns over future regulation weighed on landlord confidence. Sales 1. The…

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UK’s most affordable locations for first-time buyers

New Lloyds research reveals the most affordable places in the UK for first time -buyers • East Ayrshire tops the list, with average first -time buyer prices below £150,000 • Blackpool, Merthyr Tydfil and Mid and East Antrim also rank among the most affordable • Average first -time buyer age is 32 – but falls…

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Homesellers face months of delays

The latest market analysis from House Buyer Bureau has revealed that home sellers in some parts of the country are facing Local Authority search waiting times of more than 90 days, with growing legal bottlenecks increasingly putting transactions at risk before they reach the finish line.   House Buyer Bureau analysed the latest Local Authority…

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B2L mortgage costs climb 64% in a decade

The latest research from London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that the average monthly cost of a buy-to-let mortgage has climbed by as much as 64% over the last decade, as landlords continue to face mounting financial pressure alongside sweeping reforms introduced via the Renters’ Rights Act.   Benham and Reeves…

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First-time buyers bear the brunt of mortgage mayhem

Moneyfacts UK Mortgage Trends Treasury Report data reveals that despite mortgage turmoil easing in April, first-time buyers remain under pressure from reduced choice and stretched affordability. Mortgage product choice has contracted by around 10% since the start of March, with higher loan-to-value deals (10% or less deposit or equity) falling by 14%, a blow to…

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The cities that will feel most pressure from RRA

The latest insight from Inventory Base reveals which pockets of England’s housing market are set to be most impacted by the Renters’ Rights Act, based on the proportion of local dwellings that sit within the Private Rented Sector (PRS). In one particular city centre, PRS accounts for 77% of all homes.   The Renters’ Rights Act…

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Rental price and average salary tracker – April 2026

Mixed Rental Trends Emerge Across UK as Regional Price Gaps Widen Scotland recorded one of the strongest monthly increases, with average rents rising from £1,123 to £1,167 (+3.9% month-on-month), reinforcing continued upward pressure in the Scottish rental market. Northern Ireland also saw significant growth, with rents increasing from £887 to £920 (+3.7%), alongside a fall…

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Seller over-expectation still impacting market

Home sellers still overpricing as just two regions see realistic price expectations The latest internal data analysis from House Buyer Bureau has found that just two regions, London and the South East, are currently seeing seller expectations align with market reality, whilst the rest of the country continues to price above market value, contributing to…

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House prices remained broadly stable in April

• House prices edged down -0.1% in April, following a -0.5% fall in March • Average property price now £299,313, compared with £299,609 in March • Annual growth slowed to +0.4%, from +0.8% in March • Northern Ireland continues to record the strongest annual growth at +7.6%   Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages, Halifax, said:…

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One in four prospective sellers pull plans to move

The latest research by GetAgent has revealed that a proportion of home sellers are rethinking their plans in 2026, with almost a quarter (24%) no longer intending to sell in the near future, while a further 27% say they still plan to move but are far less certain than they were at the start of…

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Rural housing markets in full bloom

Rural housing markets in full bloom with price growth of up to 9.6% Countryside locations outperforming urban areas and the overall national average   As the country basks in spring sunshine, it comes as no surprise that new research from Yopa has revealed rural housing markets are enjoying hotter market conditions than their urban counterparts, with…

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