The latest house price data suggests that the market has continued to show steady and stable conditions as we move through Spring.
While headline prices have remained relatively flat, activity levels and underlying demand continue to support the market, with affordability and mortgage rates still playing a key role.
Here’s a clear snapshot from the main indices covering March and early April 2026.
Halifax House Price Index – March 2026
According to the latest Halifax House Price Index, the average UK house price remained broadly stable over the last month, with only a marginal downward movement in prices.
Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages, Halifax, said:
“House prices fell -0.5% in March, following the modest +0.3 per cent increase seen in February. As a result, the average property price is now £299,677. The pace of annual growth has also eased, slowing to +0.8 per cent from +1.2 per cent the previous month, suggesting the market has lost some momentum as spring begins.
Halifax noted that affordability continues to be one of the biggest factors influencing the market. Improvements in wage growth and the availability of more competitive mortgage rates have helped support buyer demand, although many buyers remain cautious when it comes to pricing.
They also highlighted that while activity levels have improved compared to recent years, the market remains sensitive to both interest rate expectations and wider economic conditions.
Nationwide House Price Index – March 2026
The Nationwide index reported that house prices remained relatively flat on a monthly basis, with modest annual growth continuing.
Commenting on the figures, Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist said:
“The housing market continues to show resilience despite ongoing affordability challenges. While there have been some improvements over the past year, affordability remains stretched by historic standards.”
This reflects a consistent theme across the market – stability, but with limits on how quickly prices can grow.
Rightmove House Price Index – April 2026
The latest Rightmove report, which focuses on asking prices, indicated that sellers are becoming more realistic with their pricing strategies.
It stated that the March market was steady despite the new global uncertainty created by the Iran war, but it’s too early to see the full impact
Average new seller asking prices rose by 0.8% (+£3,023) in March to £371,042. This is a typical price increase for this time of year
With a high level of competition between properties, pricing correctly from the outset is becoming increasingly important to attract buyer interest.
Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove said:
“Sellers are adjusting expectations to reflect market conditions, which is helping to maintain activity levels. Pricing competitively is key in a market where buyers have more choice.”
This aligns with what many agents are reporting – a more balanced market where a number of buyers have greater negotiating power.
Hometrack (Zoopla) House Price Index – March 2026
The latest Hometrack report showed more modest annual growth compared to some of the other indices.
Richard Donnell, Executive Director of Research at Hometrack said:
“The housing market is continuing to adjust to improved mortgage affordability, with steady demand supporting modest house price growth.”
The report also highlighted that supply levels have increased, which is helping to keep price inflation under control.
Our Thoughts
We have continued to see steady levels of activity over the past month, which is encouraging given world events and the impact this has had on mortgage rates.
It feels like the market is settling into a more balanced position. Buyers are still active, but more price sensitive, while sellers are becoming more realistic in order to secure a sale.
With mortgage rates having reduced slightly compared to their recent peaks, this is helping to support affordability and confidence. However, the pace of house price growth is likely to remain modest while affordability can remain a challenge for some.
As we move further into Spring and early Summer, it will be interesting to see whether mortgage rates improve and whether this has any impact on house prices.
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Information correct at time of writing – April 2026.
