New-build asking prices rise nationally despite steep regional falls

Average asking prices of newly instructed new-build properties are slowly on the rise nationally but there have been steep regional falls, research suggests.

Propertymark analysis shows the average house price for a new-build property across Britain was £500,450 in July 2025 and has increased by 0.2% to £501,658 in July 2026.

However, there are regional disparities.

Scotland, Wales, the East Midlands, the North East, the North West, the South West, Yorkshire and Humberside, and the West Midlands all recorded average price increases for newly instructed new-build properties compared with the previous year.

The West Midlands recorded the largest average price increase, with the average new-build house price rising by £33,838, from £384,443 in July 2025 to £418,281 in July 2026 – an 8.8% increase.

Regional disparities remain, making it more challenging for some aspiring homeowners to get onto the property ladder.”

In comparison, Yorkshire and Humberside recorded the smallest average increase, with the average house price rising by £4,848, from £342,998 in July 2025 to £347,846 in July 2026 – up 1.4%.
 
Although most parts of Britain recorded growth in the average asking price of newly instructed new-build properties, some regions, including London, the South East, and the East of England, saw prices fall. 
 
The smallest decline was recorded in the South East, where the average price of a newly instructed new-build property fell by £3,300, from £552,109 in July 2025 to £548,809 in July 2026 – down 0.6%.

The largest decline was recorded in the East of England, where the average price of a newly instructed new-build property fell 3.5% by £18,713, from £523,714 in July 2025 to £505,001 in July 2026.

Calls for change

Nathan Emerson (pictured), Chief Executive at Propertymark, says:  “While these figures show an overall year-on-year rise in the average asking price of many new-build properties, regional disparities remain, making it more challenging for some aspiring homeowners to get onto the property ladder. 
 
“With the Budget due on 28 October 2026, any housing-related announcements will be closely watched, particularly measures aimed at helping more first-time buyers purchase a home. 
 
“Across the entire UK, there is a continued focus on delivering the right homes in the right places. Greater devolution across England could give regions more control over housing policy and help deliver solutions that better reflect local needs. 
 
“Every nation faces its own housing challenges, and addressing them will require ambitious, targeted policies to better balance housing supply and demand over the long term.”