Home Buyers Motivated by Cheaper Rates and Opportunity to Save on Stamp Duty

The UK housing market has seen a record number of new sellers since Boxing Day, with average property prices rising by 1.7% to £366,189 this month, according to the recently released data from Rightmove. This marks the largest price increase at the start of the year since 2020. Falling interest rates, which may continue to drop as confidence grows for a rate cut by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), will motivate hopeful home buyers. However, prices remain nearly £9,000 below the peak in May 2024 due to affordability constraints.