Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Mapped: UK house prices rise again for third month in a row to near record high

The typical property value has risen by around £13,000 over the past year, Halifax said

Jabed Ahmed,Vicky Shaw
Monday 07 October 2024 10:43 BST
Comments
The average UK house price last month was just over £100 away from a record high, according to Halifax (Anthony Devlin/PA)
The average UK house price last month was just over £100 away from a record high, according to Halifax (Anthony Devlin/PA) (PA Media)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

House prices have risen for the third month in a row, coming close to reaching a record high, according to an index from the UK’s largest mortgage lender.

The typical property value in September was £293,399, just £108 below a record high of £293,507 set in June 2022, said Halifax.

Compared with a year ago, Halifax said house prices were up 4.7 per cent – the fastest pace of growth since November 2022.

House prices increased by 0.3 per cent month-on-month in September, matching a rise seen in August.

The report also found the average amount paid by first-time buyers has increased by 4.2 per cent over the past year, or £9,409 in cash terms

This brings the typical first-time buyer property price up to £232,769 – the highest level since May 2024.

The amount is still around £1,000 less than the average amount paid by a first-time buyer two years ago, at £233,760.

Here is a map of average house prices, followed by annual increases, according to Halifax. Regional changes are based on the most recent three months of approved mortgage transaction data.

Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax, said: “It’s essential to view these recent gains in context. While the typical property value has risen by around £13,000 over the past year, this increase is largely a recovery of the ground lost over the previous 12 months.”

She added: “Market conditions have steadily improved over the summer and into early autumn. Mortgage affordability has been easing thanks to strong wage growth and falling interest rates.

“This has boosted confidence among potential buyers, with the number of mortgages agreed up over 40% in the last year and now at their highest level since July 2022.

“While improved mortgage affordability should continue to support buyer activity – boosted by anticipated further cuts to interest rates – housing costs remain a challenge for many.

“As a result we expect property price growth over the rest of this year and into next to remain modest.”

Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank, said: “The last two years have underlined the close relationship between mortgage rates and house prices – as one goes up the other goes down.

“We expect low single-digit price growth this year as rates continue to drift lower, with the Budget the main cause of uncertainty on the horizon.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in