By John Halman
As the leaves turn and we head into the final quarter of 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the year so far and look ahead to what 2026 might bring for the property market.
This year has been another strong one for Gascoigne Halman. We’re proud to report that we’ve successfully completed over 2600 sales and lettingsproperty transactions across our network to date, an impressive result that reflects the resilience of the market and the dedication of our team.
Interest Rates and Market Confidence
Following three rate cuts earlier this year, the Bank of England base rate currently stands at 4%. Despite this cautious stance, buyer confidence remains resilient. Completed house sales are currently running 28% higher than in 2024, with no immediate sign of a let up.
Looking ahead, most analysts forecast modest house price growth of 2–4% in 2026, with some predicting up to 5% growth if mortgage rates fall more sharply than expected.
This outlook suggests a more balanced and sustainable market, where affordability improves gradually and energy-efficient homes command a growing premium. For sellers, it’s a positive signal and for developers, a clear call to align with evolving buyer priorities.
Policy Changes on the Horizon
We’re writing this just ahead of the Autumn Statement, so while the full details of the Government’s fiscal plans are yet to be revealed, the direction of travel is already clear.
The new administration has made housing a top priority. New Housing Secretary Steve Reed has met with major developers and visited sites like those in Bedfordshire to understand how to accelerate delivery. The reinstatement of mandatory housing targets is a bold move, with the Office for Budget Responsibility forecasting the highest level of housebuilding in over 40 years.
These are ambitious steps but questions remain around the availability of skilled tradespeople to meet demand without controversial planning reforms. If you’re considering a new build, we recommend speaking to our Land & New Homes Team about developments already under construction, rather than waiting for those still in the early stages.
Get Set for a Festive Boom!
If you’re thinking of selling, don’t wait until January. Last Christmas, Rightmove reported a record breaking Boxing Day bounce in housing market activity with a 26% increase in the number of new properties listed for sale compared to 2023.
The festive season brings a surge in motivated buyers, and we’re ready to meet that demand with fresh property listings. There’s still time to get your home featured online and take full advantage of this seasonal spike in interest. Let’s get your property photographed before the Christmas decorations go up so you can relax and watch the enquiries roll in as the New Year begins.
Ask The Experts
The Gascoigne Halman team is always ready to assist with any property enquiry you may have. No one understands the local property market better, and we are delighted to share our expertise with local residents, no matter where you are on the property ladder.
Our branches are open six days a week, so feel free to pop in and discover what’s happening in your hyper-local marketplace. We’re here to help!
Wishing you all the best for the remainder of 2025 and the festive season,
John Halman
