York Housing Market Update – What’s Really Happening – November 2025

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the York property market lately (or even just browsing Rightmove with a cuppa), you might’ve noticed things feeling a bit… wobbly. So here’s a little round-up from me on what’s going on, what it means for sellers and buyers, and why it’s not all doom and gloom.

Asking Prices Take a Dip

Average new-seller asking prices have slipped by 1.8% this month, which is around £6,589 down, bringing the national average to £364,833. A bit of a bigger drop than we normally see in November, but it’s not entirely surprising.

There’s a lot of property on the market right now — the most we’ve seen in a decade — which naturally puts pressure on sellers to stay competitive. Add in the looming Budget (and all the rumours swirling around it!) and the usual seasonal slowdown… well, you get the picture.

Here in York, the average time to find a buyer is now 79 days, so homes are definitely taking longer to shift compared to the speedier moves we’ve had in recent years.

More Price Reductions as Sellers Try to Tempt Buyers

We’re also seeing the highest level of price reductions since early 2024. A third of properties already for sale have reduced their asking price, and the average cut is around 7%.
This is very much a buyer’s market at the moment, so sellers are having to sharpen their pencils a bit to stand out.

The Budget Jitters Are Real

There’s a lot of chatter — stamp duty changes, possible tweaks to capital gains tax, even murmurings of a mansion tax. None of it confirmed, but the speculation alone is enough to make some buyers pause.

The interesting thing? Even with October feeling a bit sluggish, the year so far still shows sales agreed 4% higher than in 2024. So people are still moving — just more cautiously.

A Quiet Autumn… But Some Good News Too

The cooler market means the usual Christmas slowdown has arrived early. Buyers are distracted, sellers are getting more realistic, and everyone’s waiting for the Chancellor to reveal what’s what.

But there’s a bright side:
Mortgage rates are actually heading in the right direction.
The average two-year fix is now 4.41%, down from 5.06% this time last year. Combine that with wages rising and many buyers are finding things slightly more affordable than they have been in a long while.

A Bank Rate cut before Christmas would give an extra boost — and there’s a chance it could happen. If rates continue to ease, 2026 could kick off with a much sunnier mood.

So… What Does This All Mean if You’re Thinking of Moving?

Honestly? It depends on your situation — but here’s the gist:

If you’re selling

Pricing accurately is more important than ever.

Overpricing right now can leave your home sitting on the market while everyone else nabs the eager buyers.

Being flexible and responding to feedback is key.

If you’re buying

This is a great time to negotiate.

There’s plenty of choice out there and motivated sellers.

Keep an eye on mortgage rates — the next few weeks could be interesting.

If you’re not sure what to do

Totally normal — the whole market is in pause mode at the moment. If you want a realistic valuation or a second opinion on strategy, I’m always here for a chat.