Rightmove reaction to Base Rate hold

Rightmove logo

At its meeting ending on 20 March 2024, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 8–1 to maintain Bank Rate at 5.25%.

Matt Smith, Rightmove’s mortgage expert said: “Although today isn’t the day for the first Base rate cut, each day that passes is one step closer, and it’s very much a ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ we see the first drop from 5.25%.

“Mortgage rates have risen slightly over the last 6 weeks but it does feel like the pressure on lenders to increase rates has dissipated, with some lenders having already cut rates in response to yesterday’s positive inflation news. This may mean that average mortgage rates start to fall back in the next couple of weeks. If this is the case it will be first time average rates will have reduced in over a month.

“Home-movers shouldn’t expect to see a rush of rate cuts, but the two announcements this week should hopefully continue to give movers more confidence than they perhaps had at the start of last year. That’s certainly been the theme so far after the first quarter of the year – with more people enquiring to purchase homes, more sellers come to market and more sales being agreed than this time last year.”

Rightmove

UK Property news updates shared directly from Rightmove PLC - the country's leading property portal.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Enhancing Project Presentation with 3D Rendering Services

Imagine pitching a luxury hotel to investors using only blueprints and mood boards. They nod politely, squint at technical drawings, and promise to “think about it.” Now picture showing them a photorealistic walkthrough where sunlight streams through the lobby’s glass atrium, shadows dance across Italian marble floors, and they can virtually stand on the rooftop…
Read More
Breaking News

House prices fall for the first time in 18 months across southern England

House prices fall for the first time in 18 months across southern England, but threat of new property tax removed from 210,000 homes   House prices in London and the South recorded their first fall in 18 months, driven by budget uncertainty and more homes for sale, boosting choice for home buyers. UK-wide buyer demand…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Rightmove trialling new Renovation Cost Estimator

Rightmove, the UK’s largest property platform, is trialling a new renovation tool with home-movers, designed to help buyers understand the potential renovation costs of a property. The new ‘Renovation Cost Estimator’ tool encourages home-movers to spend more time considering the renovation potential of homes listed on Rightmove. It aims to provide agents with more high-intent…
Read More
Breaking News

Strong rental supply continues amid seasonal slowdown in demand

Rental supply remained resilient in October, continuing the strong trend seen throughout 2025. Overall, year-to-date figures show new listings up 10% compared with last year, highlighting a sustained improvement in market supply. Average rents edged down by 3% in October 2025 compared with September 2025, settling at £575 per week. This slight dip aligns with…
Read More
Home and Living

Why Choose Wooden Blinds for Your Home?

When it comes to selecting the right window treatments for your home, wooden blinds have long been a popular choice for many homeowners. They not only offer a classic and timeless aesthetic but also provide practical benefits such as durability, versatility, and eco-friendliness. If you’re looking for window coverings that combine style with functionality, wooden…
Read More
Breaking News

Falling rates and rising wages ease first-time buyer challenge

Typical first-time buyer home now costs 5.9 times average earnings – the lowest ratio since 2015 Average monthly mortgage payment is now £1,087 – around £259 less than renting Inverclyde in Scotland is the most affordable location in Britain, Kensington and Chelsea in London the least affordable Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages, Lloyds: “Lower mortgage…
Read More