Average house prices in England and Wales held steady at £352,500 in November, marking a pause in the market’s recent downward drift as buyers and sellers awaited the Autumn Budget. The latest e.surv Acadata House Price Index shows a growing north-south divide, with London and the South East posting the steepest annual declines while several northern regions display modest resilience. Early reactions to the forthcoming Council Tax surcharge on £2 million-plus homes are also beginning to influence sentiment at the top end of the market.
The index reveals that average house prices in England and Wales stood at £352,500 in November, virtually unchanged from October, signalling a stabilisation following months of gradual softening.
Market activity slowed notably in November as buyers and sellers paused for clarity ahead of the Autumn Budget. While the seasonal bounce in October provided a brief uplift in transactions, confidence dipped again, particularly around taxation following the budget announcement.
All regions posted annual price falls in October, with London (-5.0%), the South East (-6.1%), and the South West (-4.9%) seeing the sharpest declines. Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East, and the North West showed slight monthly improvements, reinforcing the growing north-south divergence in market performance.
While the forthcoming Council Tax surcharge on £2 million+ homes won’t take effect until April 2028, the market has already begun to react. With around 85% of affected homes located in London and the South East, early signals suggest dampened enthusiasm at the top end, even as broader housing affordability subtly improves.
Rob Owens, Head of Research at e.surv, comments: “After October’s seasonal bounce, the market paused in November as many awaited the Autumn Budget. While average selling prices held steady at around £352,500, this marks a shift from the declines seen earlier in the year and suggests we may be entering a more settled phase.
“Regional dynamics remain a key part of the story. Southern England, particularly London and the South East, continues to weigh down national figures, while parts of the North are showing greater resilience – and in some cases, modest monthly growth.
“The proposed Council Tax surcharge on £2 million-plus homes is already having a subtle effect, even ahead of its 2028 implementation, and it’s likely to continue shaping buyer behaviour at the top end. While its direct impact will be narrow, centred on high-value markets, its influence on sentiment is more widespread.
“Looking ahead, steady wage growth and the prospect of base rate cuts could support a gradual recovery in 2026, particularly if policy continues to nudge affordability in the right direction.”
For more information, visit: https://www.esurv.co.uk/category/insight/house-price-index/
