In September, London saw a significant jump in the asking prices of homes, with an average increase of over £4,500. But what’s really behind this sudden rise? It seems that a combination of factors, including lower mortgage rates, more options for buyers, and higher wages, is driving the market upwards. However, even with these positive signs, buyers are still cautious when it comes to pricing.

Let’s break it down and take a closer look at what’s going on in London’s housing market and across the rest of Britain.

How Much Have Prices Jumped?

According to the latest report from Rightmove, the average asking price for a home in London has now reached £682,375. That’s a jump of £4,591 in just a month! This 0.7% increase is part of a broader annual rise of 1.4%. Across Britain, the average asking price for a home also rose by 0.8%, or £2,974, bringing the national average to £370,759.

Although it’s common for house prices to rise in September, this year’s increase is double what we usually see during this time of year. This means that the market is heating up even more than expected.

Tower Hamlets Sees Big Gains

In some areas of London, prices have jumped even higher. For example, in Tower Hamlets, asking prices rose by 2.1% in just one month. The average asking price there is now £619,605. On the flip side, some prime areas like Kensington and Chelsea and Camden saw prices drop by 2.3% since August. Even in the fanciest parts of London, people are looking for better deals, and sellers are adjusting their prices.

Why Are Prices Going Up?

Several things are contributing to this sudden rise in house prices. One big factor is the drop in mortgage rates. After a period of higher rates, they’ve been slowly coming down, which makes buying a home more affordable for many people. Lower mortgage rates mean smaller monthly payments, so more buyers are able to jump into the market.

Another reason for the price increase is the growing number of homes available for sale. With more homes to choose from, buyers are feeling more confident about finding something that suits their needs. This has encouraged people who were holding off on buying to finally make a move.

Additionally, wages are now growing faster than both inflation and house prices. This is a huge deal because it means people have more money to spend on homes. In the past, house prices were rising much faster than wages, which made it difficult for people to afford to buy. But now that wages are catching up, more people can afford to enter the housing market.

What About the Future?

While things are looking good for the moment, there are still uncertainties ahead. One big question is when the Bank of England will decide to cut interest rates again. They recently made a small cut of 0.25%, but many are wondering if there will be another cut soon. This decision could have a big impact on the housing market, as lower interest rates make it easier for people to borrow money to buy homes.

Additionally, the October Budget will play a role in shaping the market’s future. Depending on the government’s decisions, we could see further changes in the housing market over the coming months.

Rightmove’s director of property science, Tim Bannister, said, “The autumn action has started early with a strong rebound in activity from both buyers and sellers compared to the subdued market at this time last year, continuing the momentum from the better-than-expected summer market.”

He explained that the certainty of a new government and the recent interest rate cut have brought new life to the market. Many buyers who were waiting for the right moment to buy are now jumping in, creating what Bannister calls a “window of opportunity.”

However, he also warned that windows of opportunity don’t stay open forever. “There are still uncertainties ahead which could cause some of the current market activity to ease,” he added.

Is the Market Still Cautious?

Despite the rise in prices and increased activity, the market isn’t without its challenges. Rightmove reports that it’s taking an average of 60 days for a property to find a buyer. This is three days longer than it took at this time last year. This indicates that while there is more activity, buyers are still being cautious and price-sensitive.

In other words, people aren’t rushing into buying homes at any price. They’re still looking for good deals and waiting for the right moment. Sellers need to keep this in mind when setting their asking prices, as pricing too high could result in their home sitting on the market for longer than expected.

The Bottom Line

So, why are house prices in London and across Britain rising? It’s a combination of factors, including lower mortgage rates, more homes available for buyers, and rising wages. While the market is picking up speed, buyers are still being careful when it comes to how much they’re willing to pay.