UK sees lower than normal autumn house price bounce
The UK saw a lower-than-expected house price bounce in October, despite the property market seeing a considerable slowdown over the summer months.
New data from property group Rightmove shows that across the UK, the average price of a property coming to the market for sale increased by 0.3% or £1,165 in October to reach £371,422.
This is below the 10-year average October bounce of 1.1%, as the high number of homes for sale limits sellers’ pricing power, the group said. The higher stamp duty rates that came into effect in England at the start of April continue to impact the more expensive southern regions, the report shows.
The UK has historically seen a seasonal increase in activity and new seller asking prices over the autumn as the market bounces back from a quieter summer period, but activity has not been strong enough to drive the usual autumn bounce in prices.
“Despite the overall resilience of the 2025 housing market, we’ve not got enough pent-up momentum or recent positive sentiment to spur the usual autumn bounce in property prices,” said Colleen Babcock, Property Expert at Rightmove.
“We’re experiencing a decade-high level of property choice for buyers, which means that sellers who are serious about selling have had to acknowledge their limited pricing power and moderate their price expectations.
“In addition, speculation that the Budget may increase the cost of buying or owning a property at the higher end of the market has given some movers, particularly in the south of England, a reason to wait and see what’s announced in the Budget.”
