Property portal Zoopla reported last week that the housing market is off to its strongest start in three years, with 12% more new sales agreed in January 2025 than in January 2024. Further good news for sellers is that prices are also up, with the boost in sales supporting a modest 2% rise.
This sees the average house price now at £267,700 – £5,200 more than in 2024. Partly though this is down to first-time buyers trying to get on the property ladder before the stamp duty hikes are implemented in April, although moves to ‘simplify responsible lending’ being put forward as part of the governments ‘growth mission’ may see a further jump in prices. Bank of England figures showed 66,526 mortgage deals got the green light in December, up from 66,061 the previous month.