Insight: The Housing Market – August 2026

Overall, the national housing market is subdued but stable. When we look at the bigger picture from the August Lloyds House Price Index (rebranded from Halifax), there’s not much change. However, this is because there are sizeable regional variations that are tending to balance things out. More than ever it’s important to look at a local picture as well, and this is where the data is particularly interesting for Kent.

Nonetheless, the housing market is demonstrating considerable resilience in the face of wider economic pressures, and particularly the global ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East, and the change of leadership here in the UK.

Here we look at the data in more detail.

The Headline Stats and Facts

• Average selling price: £299,253 – holding broadly stable, with a -0.3% quarterly change.
• Property price increases: Annual rate of growth is +0.1%.
• Interest rates: 3.75% since 18 December.
• Inflation: 2.6%, continuing to edge downwards.   
• RICS net balance score: RICS data shows a subdued market. New buyer enquiries improved slightly to -29%. Agreed sales also improved slightly at -32%. However, new buyer enquiries have fallen to -23% (from -10%).

Kent-Specific Stats

• Average time on market: Average time on market in Kent is 200 days, with a median of 141 days.
• Number of properties for sale: There are 41,397 properties for sale in Kent, showing considerably more homes coming onto the market.
• Average selling price in Kent: £439,707 which is up slightly on the average two months ago, while the median remains steady at £350,000.

What Does This Mean?

Inflation has edged marginally downwards, despite previous predictions, and the nation is settling into a Prime Minister with bold ambitions. The situation in the Middle East, while unresolved, isn’t having such tumultuous impact as expected, or that were witnessed in February. Interest rates are holding steady.

Therefore, despite the economic challenges facing the country on a broad scale, the housing market is remaining remarkably stable. Predictions are such that this picture will continue over the coming months. That said, despite interest rates staying stable, mortgage rates are edging upwards, and that impacts affordability.

Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages at Lloyds said:

“More broadly, average house prices have remained relatively stable for almost two years, moving within a narrow range over that period and sitting just +0.5% higher than they were in November 2024. That trend has persisted even as buyers and sellers have faced a more uncertain economic backdrop this year.”

However, what each set of data is revealing month on month is that the national averages are largely holding steady due to an offset effect between different regions. As such, it’s important to look at the individual location you are in.

What About Kent?

Looking at the Kent data is particularly interesting this month.

At a national level, we see stability. This is largely because house price growth in Northern Ireland and the North of England is offsetting sizeable house price contraction in the South. Notably, the South East saw prices fall -2.0% year -on -year to £381,146. However, firstly, Kent house prices have edged upwards slightly over the last two months. Secondly, our average (£439,707) is considerably higher than the regional average.

What this demonstrates is the importance of making individualised decisions using local knowledge and expertise. We see this within the county itself with vast differences in time on market and house prices. There remain good opportunities for both buyers and sellers, but it’s about knowing how to navigate specific regional trends.

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