Autumn 2025 Housing Market: Why It’s Quietly Becoming a Buyer’s Market

As the nights draw in, the UK housing market is heading into autumn 2025 looking surprisingly friendly. A combination of more homes for sale, softer price growth and slightly cheaper mortgage deals means the balance of power has shifted away from sellers – at least for now.

Recent figures show that the number of properties coming to market has reached the highest level in around a decade. With more competition, sellers are learning that they can’t simply name their price and wait. Rightmove reports that average asking prices fell by 1.2% in July, although prices still sit marginally above where they were a year ago.

Zoopla’s latest index puts the typical UK home at around £270,000, up by just over 1% year-on-year. That’s a far cry from the rapid increases we saw a few years ago and backs up the idea of a cooler but more stable market. Their data also highlight a familiar pattern: northern regions and Scotland are seeing steadier growth, while much of southern England is flatter.

Crucially, mortgage affordability is moving in the right direction. In August, the average five-year fixed rate slipped back below 5% for the first time since May 2023. At the same time, activity is holding up well, with agreed sales up around 5% and buyer enquiries up 6% over the month. In other words, committed buyers are still out there – they’re just more price-sensitive and selective than before.

So what does this mean if you’re planning a move?

For buyers, this autumn could be a good window of opportunity. More stock means more choice and less fear of missing out. You’re less likely to end up in a frantic bidding war and more likely to have room to negotiate on price, fixtures and completion dates. With forecasts for 2025 price growth now trimmed from around 4% to closer to 2%, there’s also less concern that values will suddenly race away from you.

Sellers, on the other hand, need to adapt to the new reality. Overpricing in the hope that “someone will pay it” is a fast track to being ignored while better-priced homes attract viewings. In this kind of market, getting the asking price right from day one is often the difference between a quick sale and months of frustration. Presentation, good marketing and flexibility around viewings all matter more when buyers have plenty of alternatives.

For the wider market, the outlook is one of modest, steady progress rather than boom or bust. High supply, cautious buyers and modestly improving mortgage rates are likely to keep things moving, especially if interest rates ease further. For anyone thinking about their next step, the key is preparation: understand your budget, get your mortgage options reviewed early and be clear about your priorities in terms of area, property type and timescale.

If you’d like help making sense of your options – whether as a first-time buyer, mover or remortgager – professional advice can give you a clearer picture of what’s affordable and how best to structure your borrowing. Your own circumstances will always matter more than market headlines.

Important: This article is for general information only and does not constitute personal financial advice. Mortgage criteria and rates can change, and rules vary across the UK. Always seek regulated advice before making significant decisions about buying, selling or refinancing a property.