UK house prices 2026: what buyers should expect

Following a few years of economic uncertainty and volatile prices, the UK property market is in a state of constant change. But while January is often considered a slower month to buy or sell your home, the latest insights from Rightmove suggest a year full of confidence and activity.

The company’s January 2026 market overview reports a significant spike in demand from buyers (57%), as well as a ‘record price jump’ with average sale prices up 2.8% compared to December. 

But what does this mean for homebuyers across the UK? Is now a good time to start looking for a new home? And what might be in store in 2026 for people considering a luxury new build?

A property market that’s recovering with confidence

In late 2025, the Bank of England reduced its base rate and, in turn, mortgage rates settled. This is great news for homebuyers, but the bigger picture seems to suggest a challenging time to buy a new home.

UK inflation rose to 3.4% in December 2025 – the first such increase in months – affecting incomes and affordability. At the same time, the threshold where you begin to pay Stamp Duty was lowered, with other thresholds frozen, pushing more people into paying higher rates.

However, Rightmove’s data shows a market that’s starting the new year strong, which is supported by continual transaction growth over the past few years. This demonstrates the resilience of the UK property market; even against headwinds, people are investing in the right property and a new lifestyle.

A need for clarity and transparency

In a market that’s steadily growing and even gathering pace, homebuyers are increasingly looking for absolute clarity in their purchase price. With a home that somebody else has lived in, this can be surprisingly hard to achieve.

According to Zoopla, 71% of people plan to spend money on updating or refurbishing a home within the first two years after purchasing it, often at great expense. Meanwhile, homeowners find themselves spending an average of £4,000 on unexpected repairs and maintenance after moving in.

In an economy where everyone is keen to remove the surprises and plan their costs effectively, a new build home offers a level of confidence you simply can’t find in a pre-loved place to live.

Luxury new build homes are built to deliver value

While new builds and resale homes both have advantages and disadvantages, cost clarity is one of the biggest strengths of buying a home that’s entirely new. This is something we focus on at Brookworth by building quality and value into every stage of the development process.

Choosing locations with growing property markets

Driven by commuters and a high quality of life, areas like Kent, Surrey and Sussex are all notably resilient parts of the UK property market. The average property price in Kent is well above the national average, Sussex experienced 4% price growth in 2025 (vs 2-3% on average) and Surrey is a constant draw for high earners. That’s why we continually invest in these areas, meeting high demand for premium new build homes.

No need for costly updates and modernisation

The future of the UK property market is sustainable, energy efficient and smart. In a resale home, you’ll potentially need to make a range of updates including some notably expensive projects like replacing an outdated gas boiler. At Brookworth, our homes are all already well-appointed with the features that you need, including:

• A+++ rated air source heat pumps and efficient underfloor heating

• Smart home technology across lighting, heating and blinds

• The latest beaded cavity insulation to future-proof your home and reduce your energy bills

Robust quality assurance and professional snagging

Removing the possibility of unexpected costs and hidden surprises, our Quality Assurance team collaborates with a professional snagging partner to find and fix any issues with your property long before you move in. It’s the difference between a home that takes a few months to feel genuinely like home and one that’s ready from the moment you arrive.

The impact of regional property trends

Wider trends have a considerable impact on affordability, purchase price and whether a new build or existing property is right for you. But it’s also important to remember the smaller, more local trends taking place across the country that might influence your decision.

Brighton, Sussex

Brighton has long been a competitive environment for property purchases, thanks for endless local amenities, proximity to the coast and an easygoing way of life. Zoopla identifies Brighton as a weak market for 2026, which creates opportunities to secure a good price or explore the market just beyond the city itself.

With just a few homes remaining, our Skylarks development in Rottingdean is 15 minutes from Brighton by car, offering the very best of coastal and country life on the cusp of the South Downs National Park.

Welford-on-Avon, Warwickshire

With a strong trend for larger, more desirable homes and higher than average sale prices and rents, Welford-on-Avon is a hotspot of price stability amid a challenging market. In 2025, the average sale price of a detached home in Welford-on-Avon was £1,044,000.

At Braeburns, our boutique collection of homes just off the River Avon, we’re seeing strong demand from discerning buyers, looking for a unique blend of classic elegance and modern convenience.

Invest in your dream home with Brookworth

Whether you’re starting a family, relocating for work, escaping the city or looking for a peaceful place to live, it’s easy to get distracted by forecasts about the property market. There’s always a mix of good news and bad; positive predictions mixed in with some good old-fashioned caution.

But what matters is finding the home that’s right for you, with complete clarity and certainty about the cost and confidence that your investment will pay off for years to come, personally and financially.

What makes a Brookworth Home – what we call the Brookworth Difference – is our unrelenting focus on quality. It’s something you can see from the moment you arrive, in the way our developments fit seamlessly into their surroundings. It’s something you’ll notice in every detail of your home, from premium fixtures and fittings to beautifully landscaped gardens. And it’s something you can feel in the communities we create, where like-minded people share a focus on elegant living.

For more immediate availability, explore our developments or get in touch with our experienced sales teams for more help.