York Property Market Update – August 2026

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in York, you may have noticed that the market feels a little more considered than it did a few years ago. Buyers have more choice, sellers need to be realistic on price, and getting the right advice has never been more important.

So, what’s happening in the York property market this August?

The latest figures show that house prices in York are down by 1.7% compared with this time last year, while it is currently taking an average of 68 days to find a buyer.

That might sound a little gloomy at first, but there is more to the picture than one headline figure.

A bigger drop in asking prices across the wider market

Rightmove’s latest data shows that the average asking price of a newly listed property has fallen by 2.0% this month, a reduction of £7,360, bringing the average asking price across Great Britain to £364,999.

A fall in asking prices during August isn’t unusual. Summer holidays tend to make the market quieter, and sellers who are keen to move may decide to adjust their price to attract more attention.

What is notable this year is the scale of the reduction. Rightmove reports that average prices are now 1.0% lower than they were a year ago, the largest annual fall since December 2023.

There is also plenty of choice for buyers, with more homes available for sale in August than at this time of year since 2014.

For buyers, that can be positive news. More choice means more opportunity to find the right property, but it also means sellers need to make sure their home stands out for the right reasons.

York is holding up differently to the national picture

National averages don't always tell the whole story, particularly when it comes to property.

York has its own local market, and demand can vary considerably depending on the property, location and price bracket.

Our latest York figures show prices are 1.7% lower year-on-year, with properties taking an average of 68 days to find a buyer.

That doesn't mean every property is taking 68 days to sell. Some well-priced homes are still attracting strong interest quickly, while properties that are priced too optimistically can sit on the market for considerably longer.

This is why looking at the local market, rather than relying solely on national headlines, is so important.

Buyers have a little more choice

One of the biggest changes we are seeing across the market is the amount of choice available to buyers.

After several years when buyers often had to move quickly and compete for properties, today's market is giving them more time to think, compare and negotiate.

For sellers, this means pricing correctly from the outset is increasingly important.

Launching at a price that reflects the current market can help generate interest when the property is first advertised. If a property is initially overpriced and then reduced several weeks later, it can sometimes mean missing the strongest period of buyer attention.

Our advice is simple: don't price your home based on what you hope it will be worth. Price it based on what buyers are actually prepared to pay today.

What about mortgage rates?

Mortgage affordability continues to influence the market.

Rightmove's latest figures show the average two-year fixed mortgage rate at 5.09%, up from 4.95% last month.

Mortgage rates remain an important part of the picture because even relatively small changes can affect what a buyer can comfortably afford each month.

The good news is that the mortgage market remains competitive, with lenders continuing to offer a range of products for buyers with different circumstances.

If you're thinking about moving, it can therefore be useful to understand your mortgage position before you start seriously looking at properties. Knowing your budget gives you a much clearer idea of what is realistic.

So, what does this mean if you're selling in York?

Our view is that this is a market where sensible pricing, good presentation and proactive estate agency really matter.

There are buyers out there. They haven't disappeared.

But buyers have more choice, and they are taking their time. They are comparing properties, looking carefully at value and being less willing to overlook a price that doesn't feel realistic.

For sellers, the key is not necessarily to be the cheapest property on the market. It's about being competitively priced for your particular location and type of home, presenting it well and making sure the marketing reaches the right buyers.

For buyers, meanwhile, there can be some real opportunities. More choice and a little less pressure can mean you have time to properly consider whether a property is right for you.

Our take on the York market

At Indigo Greens, we always think the most useful market information is local, realistic and put into context.

The York market isn't simply "up" or "down". Different properties are behaving differently, and the right price remains one of the biggest factors influencing how quickly a property attracts a buyer.

If you're thinking about moving in the next few months, now is a good time to understand where your property sits in the current York market.

Thinking of moving home in York? Get in touch with Indigo Greens for a no-obligation market appraisal and a local, realistic view of what your property could achieve.