The 5 facts hitting the housing market hardest in the last 7 days.
Remember: If you’ve recently rented, bought or sold a home, please report your price to the BestAgent Public House Price Index.
5FF 30th October 2026
1. Chancellor Healey confirms Your First Home details including price caps which make it mostly only viable in the north.
Negative equity inbound for most FTBs who fall victim to this new home selling scam. It’s bad for affordability but won’t make as big a dent as the last Help to Buy, as government levies fees on the developers of up to 4%, which will just add to the high prices.
Source: https://x.com/moving_charlie/status/2115459927523332453?a=WWx33hvUxTqeL84QuUM&s=20
2. Zoopla shows annual house price falls spread across more of the country.
Even more choice for buyers, even more competition for sellers.
3. OBR expects sliding house price growth and transactions
4. Bank of England reports even worse mortgage approvals for September, a month when they usually lift after the summer, confirming the very bleak transaction picture.
This makes moving harder for buyers and sellers, the lower it slides. 53,000 v a long term average around 66,000.
Source: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/statistics/money-and-credit/2026/september-2026
5. OBR says housing delivery will fall, says house price growth will fall, says housing transactions will fall.
They’re finally catching up.
Source: https://www.cityam.com/housebuilding-delivery-to-fall-for-next-three-years-in-blow-to-targets/
Bonus
The silver lining of the budget no one has mentioned: Having a grown-up back in the job will bring calm to the grim conditions. But at least that means we know where we stand and can move on.
Source: https://x.com/moving_charlie/status/2115895140304785889?a=CpB7DixvxIyabTBTSfs&s=20
See the listing on BestAgent: 4-bed detached house, Felsham Road, Bradfield St George, Suffolk
My quotes in the media this week
The Negotiator — BestAgent launches new membership club for hardworking agents, 28 Oct
“We’re looking for agents who care about doing right by their customers, want to keep getting better and are willing to challenge the old habits holding the industry back.”
Property Wire — BestAgent launches membership club for estate agents, 28 Oct
Cited: reports the BestAgent Club launch, describing Charlie as the housing commentator who founded BestAgent
Property Soup — Your First Home buyers warned over price falls and rising costs, 29 Oct
“Your First Home has the right aim, but it’s the wrong answer.”
Property Industry Eye — Your First Home Scheme: What You Need to Know, 29 Oct
“Leaving aside the fiscal devolution curve ball, there was nothing in this Budget to move the housing market much.”
Estate Agent Today — Agency club to launch with £100 and £250 monthly fees, 29 Oct
Cited: Graham Norwood reports the BestAgent Club launch, fees and investment chips
This week’s livestreams
41% of sellers slash prices, chase the market down. Are they too late? Last week’s 5FF. — Fri 23 Oct
Budget Bingo – what housing measures are on your Bingo card for this budget? — Mon 26 Oct
Live Budget Watchalong with Housing Stig and Charlie — Wed 28 Oct
Most-viewed this week
X: Full details of government’s new help to buy scheme Your First Home now published. (60,440 views)
TikTok: The market is in charge. (1,190 views)
Instagram: Many people mistake my posting of falling house prices with me WANTING house prices to fall. (2,001 views)
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