Medway House Prices 2026, Is Now a Good Time to Buy or Sell? Tom Dix The Medway Estate Agent скачать в хорошем качестве

Medway House Prices 2026, Is Now a Good Time to Buy or Sell? Tom Dix The Medway Estate Agent

Medway Property Market Update January 2026 The Medway property market enters 2026 in better shape than many expected twelve months ago. Prices have held up, borrowing costs are easing, and buyer confidence is slowly returning. This is not a boom market, but it is no longer a frozen one either. The detail matters more than ever, especially on price, presentation, and timing. Below is a clear view of what is happening in Medway right now, followed by a practical forecast for the year ahead. Current Medway House Prices The latest UK House Price Index shows the average sold price in Medway at £297,000, up 3.4 percent year on year based on October 2025 provisional data. By property type, Medway prices sit roughly at: Detached homes around £532,000 Semi-detached homes around £351,000 Terraced houses around £274,000 Flats around £170,000 This matters because Medway remains one of the more affordable areas in the South East. That affordability is a key reason buyer demand is proving more resilient here than in higher-priced commuter towns. First-Time Buyers and Affordability in Medway First-time buyers remain the engine of the Medway market. The average first-time buyer purchase price sits around £269,000, very close to the average terraced house price. That overlap is not accidental. Terraces and well-priced smaller semis continue to attract the strongest interest, particularly in areas with good rail links and schools. Affordability has improved slightly because earnings growth has outpaced house price growth over the last year, while mortgage rates have edged down. Mortgage Rates and the Impact on Buyers In December 2025, the Bank of England cut the base rate to 3.75 percent. This has already fed through into lower mortgage rates, with some fixed-rate deals dropping below 4 percent. For Medway buyers, this matters more than headline prices. Monthly payments drive decisions here. Even small rate cuts can make a meaningful difference to affordability, especially for first-time buyers and upsizers. While no one should expect ultra-cheap borrowing to return quickly, the direction of travel has improved, and that alone has lifted confidence. The Reality of the Medway Market Right Now Despite steady annual price growth, Medway is a selective market. Homes that launch well priced, well presented, and properly marketed still sell. Homes that feel ambitious, compromised, or tired tend to sit, often drifting into price reductions later. National data shows that the typical time from listing to exchange is now well over 200 days. Medway is not immune to that. Patience and realism are essential on both sides of the transaction. Medway Property Market Forecast for 2026 Most major forecasters expect modest UK house price growth in 2026, typically in the 2 to 4 percent range, with some longer-term models slightly higher. For Medway specifically, I expect: Stable to modest price growth rather than sharp rises Strongest demand in first-time buyer and mid-market family homes Continued sensitivity to pricing, especially above key search bands Flats to remain price-conscious, houses to outperform Medway’s relative affordability should help it outperform more expensive South East locations if mortgage rates continue to ease. What This Means for Medway Sellers in 2026 If you are selling in Medway this year: Price to where buyers are actually searching, not where you hope the market will be Treat the first 7 to 10 days as critical, weak early interest usually means price resistance Expect buyers to reference nearby sold prices, not asking prices Have a clear fallback plan if there is no credible offer within three to four weeks Correct pricing from day one remains the biggest factor in achieving a clean sale. What This Means for Medway Buyers in 2026 If you are buying in Medway: Be mortgage-ready early, good homes still move quickly Use condition and evidence when negotiating, not vague market sentiment Book second viewings quickly on the right property Pay close attention to chain position and timelines A calmer market rewards preparation and decisiveness. A Local Agent’s View The mood in Medway is noticeably better than it was mid-2025. Not because prices are racing ahead, but because uncertainty is easing. When borrowing costs stabilise, buyers regain confidence, and confidence brings movement. 2026 looks like a year of steady, sensible decisions rather than dramatic swings. For many households, that is exactly what they have been waiting for. Thinking of Moving in Medway This Year? If you are planning to sell or buy in Medway in 2026 and want a clear, honest view of pricing and timing, I am always happy to help. You can book a short pricing and strategy chat or call me directly on 07557 783325.