Zoopla: buyers are pressing pause
As the nights draw in and temperatures drop, Zoopla’s latest House Price Index reveals that many buyers are cooling off their plans to move.
While house prices haven’t fallen, growth has slowed to 1.6%, marking the first slowdown in two years.
Why are buyers hesitating?
Several factors are behind the pause. Seasonally, buyers tend to hold off in the autumn months to avoid the disruption of moving over Christmas and the New Year.
But this year, that usual slowdown has been compounded by uncertainty around the upcoming Autumn Budget. With speculation over potential tax changes — including adjustments to Stamp Duty, Capital Gains Tax, and even a revived “mansion tax” — many prospective buyers are adopting a cautious “wait and see” approach.
There are also rumours that the Chancellor may raise income tax, adding to the overall sense of hesitation.
Zoopla’s findings
According to Zoopla, the typical seasonal slowdown has started around six weeks earlier than usual. Buyer demand has dropped by 8%, and sales agreed are down 3% year on year.
More homes have come onto the market recently, which, combined with reduced demand, has left house prices flat in southern England. However, northern regions, Scotland, and Wales continue to show modest price growth of around 2%.
What industry experts are saying
Richard Donnell, Executive Director at Zoopla, commented:
“The housing market is experiencing a slowdown in activity, but there are still serious sellers looking to buy and secure their next home purchase. The slowdown is modest and less severe than the impact of the 2022 mini-budget. It’s early-stage buyers adopting a cautious approach ahead of the Budget, particularly for higher-value homes.”
He added that the market remains on track for the highest number of sales since 2022, with prices expected to end the year 1–1.5% higher than at the start of 2025.
Guy Gittins, CEO at Foxtons, echoed this sentiment:
“The current slowdown should be seen as a temporary pause rather than a fundamental shift. Once there’s clarity around taxation and policy, we expect confidence to return quickly — especially in London, where demand remains strong.”
What this means for buyers and sellers
The housing market remains a key driver of the UK economy, with around 350,000 transactions currently progressing — representing more than £100 billion in economic activity.
While the slowdown may cause temporary uncertainty, most experts agree that confidence is likely to return quickly once the Budget is announced.
First-time buyers, in particular, are unlikely to see major impacts, though many are understandably cautious about making such a large financial commitment before more clarity emerges.
How Best Value Conveyancing supports your move
At Best Value Conveyancing, we know that buying a home is one of the biggest financial steps you’ll take — and that confidence matters, especially in a changing market.
We offer a fixed conveyancing quote with no hidden fees and a ‘no completion, no fee’ guarantee, so you only pay if your sale or purchase completes.
Our experienced solicitors keep your transaction moving quickly and efficiently, giving you great value without compromising on quality.
Call 0800 0387 007 or get an instant online quote to start your move today.
