York Property Market Update – September 2025

York’s property market has been quietly ticking along, and with autumn here, it’s a great time to see what that could mean for your next move.

The latest Rightmove data shows the average property price in York is £344,345, with homes seeing 2.1% growth over the past year. One thing to be aware of is that homes are taking a bit longer to sell than last year—about 80 days on average, which is 19 days longer than this time in 2024. Prices may look like they’re inching up on paper this month, but with homes taking longer to sell than last year, it feels more like a slow grind than a true surge—making smart pricing and strong presentation crucial.

What’s happening nationally

Across the UK, asking prices are nudging up slightly, but some regions—especially London and the south—are seeing slower growth. South of England sellers need to be extra competitive, because there’s more stock on the market and buyers are taking their time. On the upside, sales are still happening: nationally, we’re seeing 4% more agreements than last year, with York holding up well within this trend, although buyers are taking longer to make decisions when it comes to making offers.

Adding to the mix, the Bank of England’s latest base rate announcement last week brought a note of stability to the mortgage market. While the rate has held steady, lenders are continuing to trim their products slightly, helping confidence return among buyers.

Good news for buyers

Since last summer, mortgage rates have eased a bit—from 5.03% down to 4.52% for a two-year fixed deal—so buyers are finding homes a little more affordable. That, combined with the choice of homes on the market here in York, means plenty of opportunities for people ready to move. With buyer demand up 4% compared to last year, momentum is quietly building as we head towards Christmas.

So, what does this mean for you?

If you’re selling, now is the time to take stock. If your property hasn’t sold yet, don’t sit and wait—this is the perfect moment to realign your marketing price with the market. A well-priced home will capture the attention of the buyers who are active right now, giving you the best chance of securing a deal before the year is out.

If you’re buying, don’t be put off by properties that are on the market slightly longer—this is the current “normal.” With improved affordability and more choice, you can move at your own pace without the pressure of recent year’s frantic bidding wars.

York’s market is steady, and with the right advice, it can work really well for both committed sellers and serious buyers.

Looking ahead

As we head into the final months of 2025, all eyes are on the Autumn Budget and the Bank of England’s next moves on interest rates. Most experts expect rates to stay relatively steady until mid-2026, which means we’re unlikely to see big changes in affordability before spring. The bigger unknown is what Rachel Reeves will announce in her first budget as Chancellor. Planning reforms to boost housebuilding are expected, but there’s also speculation around tax changes—ranging from stamp duty being restructured or paid in instalments, through to fresh levies on landlords and even council tax re-banding. Reeves has dismissed some of the wilder rumours, but with pressure to raise revenue, housing is one area firmly under the microscope.

For sellers, this makes the weeks ahead a crucial window. If your property hasn’t yet sold, now is the time to realign your marketing price with the market to take advantage of the 4% increase in buyer activity before Christmas. Acting sooner rather than later means you can capture motivated buyers while conditions remain stable—and avoid the uncertainty of any new rules that might come in after the Budget. For buyers, the current stability in mortgage rates means affordability is as good as it has been for 18 months, and moving now gives you breathing space to secure the right property before potential policy shifts reshape the market in the new year.