Zoopla House Price Index April 2026: what the data means for buyers
For anyone who has dipped a toe into the housing market, you’ll know it can be a stressful process: finding the right property, in the right location, at a price your mortgage can accommodate each month. One of the more useful ways to take the temperature of the market is to read the monthly House Price Index reports published by organisations such as Halifax, Nationwide and Zoopla.
Zoopla’s House Price Index for April 2026, published on 29 April, highlights several things worth noting if you are planning to buy or sell.
Fewer buyers, but sales are holding up
Despite overall buyer demand running around 2% below last year, with a notable dip following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East at the end of February, sales agreed are holding up well, running just 3% below last year. There has also been a meaningful rebound in buyer enquiries since Easter, with activity reaching its highest level since the conflict began.
Homes are taking on average just one day longer to sell than at the same point last year, a sign that motivated buyers are still pressing ahead.
Price growth: steady but patchy
Average UK house prices are rising at around 1.3% annually, with the average UK home now valued at £271,500. That modest national figure, however, masks significant regional variation.
The north is outperforming strongly. House prices in the North East are up 3.2% year-on-year, the North West up 3.1% and Scotland up 2.6%, with Northern Ireland leading the UK at 6.7%. Cities including Burnley, Blackburn, Rochdale and Liverpool are among the fastest-moving markets.
London and the South East tell a different story, with prices down 0.2% year-on-year in both regions. More homes are coming to market in the south, giving buyers greater choice and keeping prices in check.
Property prices by type
The table below, drawn from Zoopla’s April 2026 report, shows average prices by property type over the three months to March 2026.
| Property type | Average price January 2026 | Average price February 2026 | Average price March 2026 | Annual change (£) | Annual change (%) |
| Flats/maisonettes | £192,400 | £192,200 | £192,500 | -£2,100 | -1.1% |
| Terraced houses | £239,900 | £239,900 | £240,800 | £4,550 | 1.9% |
| Semi-detached houses | £279,200 | £279,400 | £280,600 | £6,750 | 2.5% |
| Detached houses | £454,600 | £454,800 | £456,800 | £6,510 | 1.4% |
| All UK property | £270,900 | £271,600 | £271,700 | £3,500 | 1.3% |
Source: Zoopla House Price Index April 2026
Flats and maisonettes remain under particular pressure, falling 1.1% year-on-year. This reflects the ongoing reluctance of buyers to commit to leasehold property while meaningful reform of ground rents and service charges continues to stall.
First-time buyers: spending more, finding it harder
First-time buyers are facing a difficult market. Higher mortgage rates, stamp duty costs and the ongoing cost-of-living squeeze are all weighing on affordability. That said, those who are in a position to proceed are targeting properties around £10,000 more expensive than at the same point last year, suggesting a degree of confidence among committed movers.
What this means if you are buying
The data points to a market where well-priced properties in the right locations are still selling. For buyers, mortgage rates are lower than they were six weeks ago and lenders are competing for business again. Prices are not falling nationally, and the best-value homes in northern regions are moving quickly.
Wherever you are buying, getting the legal side of your transaction right matters. At Best Value Conveyancing, we offer a full conveyancing service at a competitive fixed price, with all standard disbursements set out upfront so there are no surprises.
Call us on 0800 0387 007 and we’ll be happy to help. All our quotes come with a no completion, no fee guarantee.
