A strong rebound is underway in the UK housing market, and spring is arriving early. More homeowners are listing their properties for sale as confidence returns to the sector, according to a new report from Zoopla. The platform projects that February could record the highest number of new listings in any February for ten years.
Zoopla’s findings come just days after the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) signaled potential signs of a market bottom, following a difficult period that included the run-up to the November 2025 budget.
Meanwhile, two major lenders reported upticks in average house prices in January: Halifax noted a 0.7% rise, and Nationwide reported a 0.3% increase.
Separately, Moneyfacts released figures this month showing that first-time buyers have access to the widest range of low-deposit mortgages in at least 18 years.
Zoopla attributes the renewed activity to record-low mortgage rates—four-year troughs—and easier mortgage access, especially for first-time buyers. The firm also highlighted a clear trend: more sellers are bringing homes to market, reflecting higher confidence and a strong desire among many households to move.
As of now, there are about 6% more homes for sale than a year ago, and Zoopla expects this to grow in the coming months. Additionally, affordability improved in many areas: roughly 40% of UK homes are cheaper to buy than rent due to lower mortgage rates and lenders relaxing affordability rules, with some regions seeing more than half of homes displaying this dynamic.
Economists anticipate 2026 will bring growth for the UK property market. Zoopla notes that while increased supply gives buyers more choice, it should also help restrain how fast house prices rise this year.
Yet not all perspectives align. Alastair Douglas, chief executive of TotallyMoney, cautions that even with more stock and falling mortgage rates, the real barrier for many is securing a mortgage in the first place. He points to the challenge of saving for a substantial deposit amid high rents and other expenses. He also mentions a student-loan predicament—high interest rates, frozen repayment thresholds, and the continuing reliance on family support—making homeownership feel increasingly like a luxury for those without substantial family backing.
