The UK housing market has started 2026 with a bang, according to data from Rightmove. In January, the average asking price for homes coming onto the market rose to £368,031, an increase of 2.8% compared with December — the largest January rise on record in Rightmove’s 25 years of tracking house price data. This marks the biggest monthly price jump seen in any month since June 2015.
This strong start to the year reflects renewed confidence among sellers and buyers after a period of subdued activity in late 2025, when market sentiment was weighed down by uncertainty around the Autumn Budget. The average asking price is also now 0.5% higher than this time last year as the market regains momentum.
Rightmove’s latest figures show that buyer interest surged in the weeks after Christmas, with enquiries rising significantly compared to the period before the festive break. Similarly, the number of newly listed homes increased sharply, indicating that more sellers are returning to the market to take advantage of growing demand.
Despite the positive price movements, Rightmove points out that the number of homes available for sale is currently at its highest level for this time of year since 2014. This wider choice gives buyers more options but also means sellers should continue to price realistically and seek expert guidance when marketing their homes.
Mortgage rates have also played a role in stabilising the market. While they remain higher than pre-2022 levels, recent activity from lenders has seen more competitive deals emerge, with two-year fixed rates at their lowest in several years. This has helped some buyers feel more confident about returning to the market.
For sellers, the early data from 2026 suggests that well-presented and appropriately priced homes are attracting high levels of attention, even as the market heads into the important spring selling season. As always, local factors and individual circumstances will continue to influence pricing and activity across different regions of the UK.
Source: Rightmove - Read the full article here
