Stability and resilience will help buyers and sellers plan and make their moves in 2026

The latest data from Halifax points to a cooling of property activity, however, the underlying picture remains one of relative stability, supported by wage growth that continues to outpace house price inflation. The lender showed that average house prices showed little movement in April although they continue to vary significantly regionally with stronger growth in the North and more subdued conditions in the South. For those looking to step onto the property ladder, stable prices are helpful, even if higher mortgage rates stretches affordability. Another important point is that the majority of existing homeowners are on fixed-rate mortgages, so they are largely insulated from short term changes in interest rates.

Later borrowing trends

The average age of a first-time buyer is now approaching 33 and more of those borrowers will be borrowing for at least 30 years, meaning they could be well into their 60s and facing retirement with a mortgage outstanding. Research by UK Finance shows that in Q4 2025 there were 41,100 new mortgages to customers aged 55 and above, of which 13,760 were for house purchase. Only one quarter of all later life customers are retired and many borrowers continue to work beyond the traditional retirement age, supporting their ability to refinance and search for better rates. However, a recent FCA market study showed this trend is shifting with nearly half of the UK population not saving enough for retirement, where unlocking housing wealth is becoming a key component of funding households in their later years.