UK home asking prices post bigger-than-usual slide, Rightmove says

Asking prices for British homes have fallen by more than is usual for the time of year, property website Rightmove said, in what could be a reflection of the rise in uncertainty in the property market ahead of the government's budget last month.

Rightmove's report published on Monday adds to signs of a subdued market around the time of the budget, which contained a new annual tax on homes worth more than 2 million pounds ($2.63 million) starting in April 2028.

"With market conditions supporting higher levels of activity, and a hopefully more certain economic environment, we forecast a better year for price growth in 2026 with a strong rebound in activity to kick start the year," said Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove.


* Average asking prices for new homes fell by 1.8% month-on-month in the four weeks to December 6, according to Rightmove, whose survey is not seasonally adjusted

* The 10-year average drop for the period is 1.4%

* Asking prices are 0.6% lower than a year earlier

* Rightmove reports early signs of a post-budget sales rebound in the top-end London property market

* Asking prices expected to rise by around 2% in 2026, Rightmove says.