New record reached for average UK house prices

February 13, 2026

The average house price in the UK has reached a new all-time high of £300,000 for the first time, according to Halifax, part of the country's biggest mortgage lender group. Data released by them showed a month-on-month growth of 0.7%, the fastest rate since November 2024.

Halifax labelled the record as a “milestone” while also acknowledging that the figure could be potentially daunting for first-time buyers. However, wage growth has overtaken house price inflation since 2022, and not all banks agree with the new valuation.

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A new milestone

The average house price record released by Halifax was set at £300,077, which is a part of Lloyds, Britain's biggest mortgage lender.

However, Nationwide, one of Halifax’s rival lenders, who also releases monthly updates, had the average at £270,873, a 0.3% rise from the previous month. This disparity between the two is significant, with a gap of £29,204.

Halifax's prediction shows a big bounce after the typically slow run-up to Christmas, where average house prices dropped by 0.5% month on month, with Halifax revising the figure down from 0.2%.

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What impact does this have

The main issue arising from this new milestone is the affordability effect on first-time buyers or would-be buyers looking to purchase a property, who are most likely already stretching budgets.

With rising average prices, however, there have also been cuts to interest rates by the Bank of England. A positive for potential homebuyers, with the most recent rate update being back in December, and the current rate standing at 3.75%. Analysts suggest that with this, asking prices will rise to counteract lower interest rates.

Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax, predicted that house price growth is “likely to edge up by between 1% and 3% this year”.

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Benefits for investors

Whilst increasing house prices can cause adversity for would-be buyers, the recent news is good for those who have invested in the property market.

Investors with assets in areas where house prices are below the national average will welcome the news with open arms, as they will see increasing returns on their investment.

This growth is further beneficiary for strategic investment into regeneration projects and high-growth areas. With national housing demand high and rental prices on a positive trajectory, rising house prices represent a significant win for the savvy investor.

This should not deter any future investors, as with the rising prices, there is profit to be made, and it's never too late to begin your journey. Strong growth areas like the North West, which outpaced all other areas in England in 2025 (Nationwide) is a perfect example.

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Outlook

Whilst this news can cause concern for people looking to purchase their first property it shows a resilient market showing steady growth, perfect for those looking to invest.

Savills’ latest data suggests the North West is set to be the UK’s strongest-performing region over the next five years, with house prices predicted to rise by 27.6% well above the national average of 22.2%.

With solid infrastructure and increasing levels of investment, the North West property market is positioned for continued growth.

If you’d like to take advantage of these opportunities or learn more about investing in the region, get in touch with us today or visit our website.