UK house prices rose by 0.4 per cent in July, the highest monthly increase this year, with the average property price climbing by £1,080 to £298,237 and annual growth easing to 2.4 per cent from 2.7 per cent in June, according to Halifax. Northern Ireland continued to lead the UK in annual price growth, while national gains remained uneven due to regional and property-type variations. Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax, said the housing market was showing resilience, with easing mortgage rates and rising wages helping affordability. She added that activity levels were holding up well, and house prices were expected to see modest gains for the remainder of 2025. However, the market may face headwinds as many homeowners come off pandemic-era fixed-rate deals. While some two-year fixed-rate borrowers may benefit from falling repayments, those exiting five-year deals are likely to face higher costs, potentially delaying home-moving decisions. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
