Expectations for the housing market 2016

As far back as I can remember us Brits have been overley obsessed with house prices, probably started when Margaret Thather came to power back in the late 70’s.

As we get close to the end of 2015 nothing has changed, property prices are again hitting what many see as unsustainable highs, this time the reason is being put down to supply not meeting demand, that is no surprise to me as we see ever inceasing numbers of people coming to the UK for one reason or another, be it Europeans coming here for work or lyfestyle to immigrants legal or non legal and refugees.

House building is underway and houses are being built, but it does  not appear to having any effect on  the housing supply side yet, is that because the influx of people coming to Britain is not stopping or subsiding? if that is the case then there seems little hope of getting the balance right and shortage of housing stock will continue as will the rise in house prices.

During 2015  average house prices across the UK have risen by 4.2% according to Land Registry figures, with some showing even bigger growth, that being  London where asking prices rose by 9.5%.

According to a recent report Estate Agent Knight Frank said, it expects prices to rise by 4.1% over the course of 2016, and by the end of 2020, prices will be 20.3% higher than they are now, but, as always, there are big regional differences.

Knight Frank’s head of residential research Liam Bailey reportedly said: “Values are growing more strongly in the South of England (particularly London and the South East) compared to slower growth in the North of England, Scotland and Wales.

“These regional differences are unlikely to unwind significantly in 2016, although the improving economic and employment picture, especially in the regions, will underpin pricing.”

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Property auctions generate complaints at four times the rate of the wider housing market

Property auctions account for just 2% of home sales but generate more than four times their share of complaints, according to a new insight report by the Property Ombudsman. The report highlights that while auctions remain a relatively small part of the wider residential property market, they are generating a disproportionately high level of consumer…
Read More
Breaking News

UK rents see upward trend in early 2026

Lomond’s report finds UK average rents rise to £1,384pcm in the first three months of 2026, compared to 2025. Average rent in London reaches £2,339pcm, 69% higher than the UK average. Kent records the network’s highest rental uptick of +9%, in early 2026. Tenant demand strengthens with a +28% increase in viewings activity in 2026.   Lomond observed the average rent across its network of lettings…
Read More
Breaking News

Landlord repossessions rose 6% ahead of Renters’ Rights Act

Landlord possession claims rose by almost 6% in the first quarter of 2026 as property owners moved to regain control of homes before the Renters’ Rights Act came into force on 1 May, according to analysis by LegalforLandlords. LegalforLandlords analysed the latest repossession data* and found that during Q1 2026, a total of 22,733 possession…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

Tenant confidence in RRA compliance sits at just 32%

Barely a third of managed tenants believe their management company is compliant following RRA changes   The latest insight from property management specialist, Rushbrook & Rathbone, reveals that whilst managing agents had until 31st May to distribute new documentation following the latest RRA implementations, almost 60% of tenants living in managed properties have seen no changes…
Read More
Breaking News

Six issues that make your property unmortgageable

The latest market insight from House Buyer Bureau has revealed six common issues that could see a homeowner’s property deemed unmortgageable by lenders, drastically reducing the pool of potential buyers and making it far harder to sell on the open market. House Buyer Bureau analysed some of the most common reasons properties fail lender criteria, alongside the…
Read More
Breaking News

Homebuyers could make over £26,000 before completion

Buying off-plan: London homebuyers could make over £26,000 before completion The latest research from Foxtons has found that buying a home off-plan can deliver a significant financial uplift, with London buyers potentially making more than £26,000 in added value before they’ve even picked up the keys to their new home. Foxtons analysed average monthly new-build…
Read More