Competitive pricing is the story of the summer. The theme was highlighted in Rightmove’s latest House Price Index, with asking prices dropping 1.2% in July to an average of £373,709. This adjustment reflects the improved supply of properties for sale.
In fact, the number of available homes remains at a 10-year high but, importantly, there are good levels of business and a brisk pipeline. Rightmove found the number of sales agreed in July was 5% higher than the same point in 2024. Additionally, the number of enquiries received by estate agents from future purchasers was 6% higher year-on-year.
Demand, sales & supply in excellent form
There was a similar sentiment monitored in July by Zoopla. It said buyer demand, agreed sales and the number of houses for sale were all at ‘unexpectedly high levels’. With house prices broadly staying the same month-on-month, the market is laden with potential for those looking to move.
More choice for home movers
It was data contained in the latest Property & Homemover Report by TwentyEA that illustrated just how good the choice of homes is for prospective buyers. Almost 500,000 properties were listed for sale in the second quarter of 2025. Comfortingly, demand has climbed in tandem, rising 7% year-on-year, with year-to-date transactions 30% higher than in 2024.
Rightmove also released more nuanced property data in July - stats bound to appeal to holidaymakers who might want to make their summer trip to the coast more permanent. The portal compiled its list of the top 10 most expensive and cheapest seaside locations. Surprisingly, the three most affordable locations offered coastal living for less than half the national average house price.
The best value was found in the North, with Bootle and Birkenhead in Merseyside, and Grimsby in Lincolnshire the most southerly areas. The cheapest coastal area was Saltcoats in Ayrshire, with an average property cost of £122,208. Peterlee in Country Durham and Ashington in Northumberland completed the top three in terms of value.
Those with generous budgets looking for premium seaside destinations should look no further than the south coast. Sandbanks in Poole retained its crown as the most expensive coastal location, with an average house price of £1.28 million. Canford Cliffs, also in Poole, took second spot, with St Ives in Cornwall, Lymington in Hampshire and Whitstable in Kent also making the most costly cut.
So, how has the UK rental market fared? Just like house prices, there has been a period of stability. The latest HomeLet Rental Index revealed the UK’s average monthly rent increased just 0.1% in its last reporting period.
Highs & lows across the UK
There were regional winners and losers, however. Rent increased 3.9% in Scotland and 1.9% in Wales. Rental values, conversely, took a tumble in the South West (down 0.9%) and in the South East (down 0.5%).
Once all the variations have been ironed out, HomeLet says new tenants now pay an average of £1,308 in monthly rent. The figure is close to the one Zoopla also published in July. It says the average monthly cost of renting is £1,283.
A bullish market for landlords
Other July analysis revealed the private rental market remains healthy for landlords. Fleet Mortgages’ latest Rental Barometer for Q2 2025 found yields were 7.5% due to rising rents, strong demand and an undersupply of rental properties. This is up from 7.4% reported in Q1.
The lender also revealed 54% of all Q2 mortgage applications were from landlords with four or more properties. Additionally, applications from first-time landlords held steady at 14%. Fleet also commented how the average landlord’s portfolio size had grown to 10 properties.
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