But there are parts of the country where the value of your home could rise significantly more, according to one property expert.
Jonathan Rolande, the founder of HouseBuyFast, says there are still ‘hidden gems’ in the UK property market.
He has shared five areas he thinks will be ‘great spots’ for buyers and sellers in 2026 and outperform the wider UK market.
He said: ”The headline forecasts for 2026 point to only around 1.5% to 2% UK house price growth and a market that still largely favours buyers. But regional data looks stronger once you focus on individual postcodes.
“Independent indices and Zoopla’s new market rankings show that a group of cheaper areas in Scotland and northern England are seeing quicker sales, fewer large price cuts and firmer recent growth than the national average price of roughly £270,000.
“If the national forecast is only around 2%, the question in 2026 should not be if the market will boom. It should focus on where the odds beat the national average while keeping the risk at bay.
“As an investor/buyer I would look for places to still buy well under the £270,000 national price, where last year’s growth was already ahead of that 2% benchmark and where homes are selling in weeks, not months.”
Below are five such ‘hidden gem’ postcodes that Jonathan believes are worth a closer look.
5. Stoke
“Stoke on Trent is not as fashionable as some other Midlands cities, but the figures are quietly solid," says Jonathan Rolande. "Average prices are still below £200,000, last year’s growth was close to 3% and homes are selling in just over a month, with only a small slice of stock sitting on the portals for half a year or more. It suits buyers who are prepared to improve older stock or manage rentals actively. For those willing to do that work, ST is the kind of postcode where a 2% national backdrop can still translate into meaningfully better returns on the ground.” | Google Photo: Google