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House prices

Journalist: Emma Lunn, Freelance

ended 10. April 2025

Hi

Looking for comment from mortgage brokers/estate agents/property buyers/property experts about the outlook for house prices in 2025.  It's for Saga, so over 50s audience. UK-based, no AI please.

Comments should briefly address:

Why over 50s are interested in house prices (i.e. because they might be downsizing, relocating for retirement, planning for IHT etc).

Which property types/locations are selling/struggling to sell at the moment?

Which regions are in demand/or not?

4 responses from the Newspage community

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Editor
Chris Barry
Director at Thomas Legal
The number of property transactions have steady increased over the past 12 months compared with the year prior which has pushed up house prices. Stock continued to hit the market at pace as BTL landlord and second home owners sell due to increased running costs. Costal towns are seeing many who bought during covid starting to exit and this may create a good buying opportunity for anyone thinking about retiring to the seaside. The cost of borrowing is also set to come down significantly in 2025 which typically increases demand, however the wider political landscape is uncertain and a lack of consumer confidence could tame demand. Cash really could be king in 2025 and those looking to downsize could take advantage of some great deals from those looking to sell quickly
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Editor
Pete Mugleston
Mortgage Advisor & Managing Director at onlinemortgageadvisor.co.uk
Many over-50s are keeping a close eye on house prices in 2025 as they consider downsizing, relocating for retirement, or planning ahead for inheritance. We’re seeing strong demand for well-located, low-maintenance homes, particularly bungalows and modern flats near amenities. Coastal and countryside areas like parts of Devon, Norfolk, and North Yorkshire remain popular, while larger, high-maintenance homes in less connected rural areas are taking longer to sell. With prices stabilising and mortgage rates softening, it could be a good year for over-50s to make their next move, especially those looking to release equity or simplify their living arrangements.
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Editor
Riz Malik
Independent Financial Adviser at R3 Wealth
Over 50s could be keeping a keen eye on their house price for inheritance tax planning purposes. Property usually forms a large part of the estate and knowing the up to date value could help them plan what they do with their assets to minimise any potential inheritance tax liability.
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Peter Dockar
Chief Commercial Officer at Gen H (Generation Home)
For people in their 50s looking to buy, I always come back to stamp duty land tax. Your 50s are a pivotal time – you might be downsizing, looking to retire, or you could be welcoming adult children back into the nest – you should have the freedom to buy a home that suits your needs. Stamp duty can make this an extremely challenging task – it's an extra cost which can keep people in homes that are no longer suitable for them. And this is to say nothing, of course, of house prices. But downsizing also has a wider impact on our entire housing ecosystem: selling a big house you don’t need anymore can benefit families who do. So, the result of this tax pressure is unhappy homeowners and less available housing stock in the UK at large. There are products that buyers over 50 can use, like Gen H’s income booster or deposit booster feature, to help mitigate some of the stamp duty stress, but what we really need is complete SDLT reform.