UK house prices post first monthly fall of 2026, down 0.6% in May — Nationwide
Nationwide reported UK house prices fell 0.6% in May, the first monthly drop of 2026, with annual growth slowing to 1.7% from 3.0% in April and the average price easing to £278,024. Chief economist Robert Gardner linked the loss of momentum to higher energy prices and rising market interest rates feeding into mortgage costs. For buyers, that means a little more negotiating room; for sellers, a reason to price realistically rather than bank on early-year growth. It is a modest easing, not a slump — annual growth is still positive.
What this means for…
Buyers· 2/3
Sellers· 2/3
Wider market· 2/3
Each axis scored 1 (minor) to 3 (major). Total 6/9.
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19 Oct 2026 · Impact 7/9
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19 Oct 2026 · Impact 7/9
Asking prices rise 1.0% to £371,015 in October but are flat on a year ago as the average two-year fix climbs to 5.55%, Rightmove finds
15 Oct 2026 · Impact 6/9
Half of two- and three-bed houses for sale are now affordable on an average income, Zoopla finds, but sales agreed are 9% below last year
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