Welcome back to another edition of the Padarn Property Blog! This week, we’re diving into a question that’s on a lot of people’s minds right now: has the UK housing market really slowed down, or is it simply finding its balance after a hectic few years?

If you’ve been keeping half an eye on the property headlines lately, you might be wondering whether the housing market is cooling down—or simply catching its breath after a busy couple of years. As an agency working closely with buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants every day, we thought we’d share what the latest data is telling us and how it compares with what we’re seeing on the ground locally.

What the numbers are saying

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) reported in July that new buyer enquiries dipped again, and the balance of surveyors reporting price growth fell further into negative territory—from –7% in June to –13% in July. On the face of it, that looks like a slowdown.

But here’s the twist: other indices, like Nationwide and Halifax, recorded modest monthly price growth (0.6% and 0.4% respectively). In other words, the national picture isn’t a straightforward decline—it’s more like a market that’s trying to level itself out.

What we’re seeing locally

On a practical level, properties that are realistically priced are still attracting strong interest. Homes that are marketed too optimistically, however, are sitting on the portals for slightly longer. In fact, we’ve noticed more sellers adjusting their expectations and focusing on securing a committed buyer rather than chasing peak 2021 prices.

For buyers, there’s definitely less of a frenzy than we saw a couple of years ago. You don’t need to make an offer the minute you’ve viewed a property, but equally, good homes in popular areas aren’t hanging around forever.

Is stabilisation a bad thing?

We’d actually argue that stabilisation is healthy. For too long, the market has been driven by sharp rises, with affordability becoming a real challenge for many first-time buyers. A period of modest growth—or even a slight softening—can help restore balance and keep transactions moving.

For landlords, the picture is slightly different. With the steepest drop in new rental listings since the first COVID lockdown, demand from tenants remains strong. That imbalance is likely to keep rental values supported, even if house price growth is subdued.

What this means if you’re thinking of moving

• Sellers: Be realistic with your pricing. Homes presented well and sensibly priced are still attracting multiple offers.

• Buyers: This could be a great window to make a move without facing the bidding wars of recent years.

• Landlords: Strong tenant demand means void periods are still rare—but compliance and regulation remain key.

Our take

So, has the housing market slowed—or just stabilised? The answer probably lies somewhere in between. Activity has cooled compared to the boom years, but rather than a slump, what we’re seeing is a return to a more balanced, sustainable pace.

If you’re thinking of selling or buying, or just require some advice, contact us today!

Until next time, happy house hunting!

Ben McEvoy