Berkshire Housing Market Update: Local House Prices Hit All-Time High

23 Apr 2025

by Callum White

The housing market across Bracknell, Ascot, and the wider Berkshire area continues to heat up, as the average asking price of a UK home reaches a new record high of £377,182 this April — up 1.4% from last month, and 1.3% higher than this time last year.

Locally, we’re seeing the same strong trends play out, with more properties coming to market, an increase in buyer demand, and a renewed confidence among home-movers—even following the recent stamp duty increase.

What’s driving the rise?

Spring is traditionally a busy time for the housing market, but this April has outperformed expectations. Buyer demand is up 5% compared to this time last year, while the number of new sellers entering the market has also risen by 4%. Despite a decade-high level of available homes for sale, the appetite from buyers is holding strong.

“We’ve not only seen an influx of new listings across Bracknell and Ascot, but many properties are being priced realistically from the outset, which is key in a competitive market. More choice doesn’t mean less activity—it’s about pricing smartly and presenting your home well.”

“Overpricing can actually delay your sale, as buyers today are very price-conscious. Properties priced correctly the first time often sell in under half the time.”

Stamp Duty Changes Haven’t Dented Confidence

Despite the end of the temporary stamp duty holiday at the start of April, home-movers appear largely undeterred. We haven’t seen a notable rise in fall-throughs on agreed sales, and many buyers who rushed to complete ahead of the deadline have successfully done so.

In fact, the backlog of home completions reduced by 4% in March — the first such decline for this time of year since before the pandemic.

Regional Insights

While the Midlands and Northern regions have seen the sharpest jumps in buyer demand, Berkshire remains a highly desirable area with consistently strong interest. Homes in Ascot and the surrounding villages, in particular, continue to attract premium offers—especially when well-presented and priced competitively.

However, the South East as a whole, including parts of Berkshire, is seeing slightly more cautious growth than other regions, as buyers remain sensitive to pricing in the face of broader economic factors.

Mortgage Rates: Room for Optimism?

The average five-year fixed mortgage rate currently sits at 4.72%, which is similar to this time last year. However, there’s cautious optimism that the Bank of England may begin to cut the base rate as early as May, potentially leading to faster-than-expected drops in mortgage rates—a welcome development for buyers.

“Lower mortgage rates would be a real boost to affordability. We’re watching the market closely, and should rates ease, we expect even more momentum heading into summer.”

Thinking of making a move in 2025?

At Duncan Yeardley, we’re here to help you make the most of the current market—whether you’re selling, buying, or just starting to plan. Get in touch with our team for a free, no-obligation valuation or chat about your options.

Ascot | 01344 874300
Bracknell | 01344 860121

Adapted from Rightmove