Average monthly house price growth has slipped into negative territory for only the second time in the last decade, according to new research carried out by Yopa.

The hybrid estate agency analysed Government House Price Index data for January and February and found average monthly house prices have fallen by -0.22% so far this year.

It marks the first time average monthly growth has turned negative since 2023, when prices declined by an average of -0.23% per month.

Difficult market

Despite a difficult market in 2025, house prices still rose by an average of 0.15% per month during the year, although that was down on the 0.24% monthly growth recorded in 2024.

Yopa’s analysis found 2021 was the strongest year of the last decade, with house prices climbing by an average of 0.63% per month during the pandemic-era boom and Stamp Duty holiday.

The latest slowdown comes as higher borrowing costs, affordability pressures and wider economic uncertainty continue to weigh on buyer demand.

Yopa says the picture varies markedly across the country. England has seen the softest decline so far in 2026, with prices edging down by an average of -0.16% per month. Wales has recorded the steepest fall at -0.75%, while Scotland has seen average monthly declines of -0.45%.

Achieving alignment between seller expectations and current market realities is absolutely crucial.”

Verona Frankish (pictured), CEO at Yopa, says: “Whilst the market entered 2026 on a relatively positive footing, a combination of economic uncertainty, affordability pressures and wider geopolitical instability has since caused momentum to soften and, as it stands, house prices are currently trending downwards across Britain.

“Buyers remain active and homes are still selling, but achieving alignment between seller expectations and current market realities is absolutely crucial when it comes to securing a successful sale.”