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    "result": {"data":{"glstrapi":{"newsBlog":{"Title":"Hertfordshire housing market update ","Text":"<p>It is traditionally a fantastic time for the housing market, as it is when everything comes back to life after a long, hard winter. Rightmove's house price index shows, after one of the fastest starts to the year since 2020, house prices are now steadying.</p>","Slug":"hertfordshire-housing-market-update-1","Date":"2026-03-12","news_category":{"Title":"SALES","Slug":"sales-and-lettings"},"Image":{"alternativeText":"","url":"https://ggfx-rolstons.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/i.prod/shutterstock_2757440121_a445966a0e.jpg","url_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#080808","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/81cf79789f09a2101475583a6d47c47a/e9fbf/shutterstock_2757440121_a445966a0e.jpg","srcSet":"/static/81cf79789f09a2101475583a6d47c47a/47073/shutterstock_2757440121_a445966a0e.jpg 210w,\n/static/81cf79789f09a2101475583a6d47c47a/92751/shutterstock_2757440121_a445966a0e.jpg 420w,\n/static/81cf79789f09a2101475583a6d47c47a/e9fbf/shutterstock_2757440121_a445966a0e.jpg 840w,\n/static/81cf79789f09a2101475583a6d47c47a/92058/shutterstock_2757440121_a445966a0e.jpg 1680w","sizes":"(min-width: 840px) 840px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/81cf79789f09a2101475583a6d47c47a/5dc88/shutterstock_2757440121_a445966a0e.webp 210w,\n/static/81cf79789f09a2101475583a6d47c47a/239c3/shutterstock_2757440121_a445966a0e.webp 420w,\n/static/81cf79789f09a2101475583a6d47c47a/61848/shutterstock_2757440121_a445966a0e.webp 840w,\n/static/81cf79789f09a2101475583a6d47c47a/831ed/shutterstock_2757440121_a445966a0e.webp 1680w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 840px) 840px, 100vw"}]},"width":840,"height":480}}}},"Author":{"Image":{"alternativeText":"Rolstons-Paul Gillespie","url":"https://ggfx-rolstons.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/i.prod/Paul_Gillespie_2x_5c5e5db142.jpg","url_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#083878","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/6ddf4ee79416270a24fb9ddd87fc0457/d4a57/Paul_Gillespie_2x_5c5e5db142.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6ddf4ee79416270a24fb9ddd87fc0457/40657/Paul_Gillespie_2x_5c5e5db142.jpg 16w,\n/static/6ddf4ee79416270a24fb9ddd87fc0457/77b35/Paul_Gillespie_2x_5c5e5db142.jpg 32w,\n/static/6ddf4ee79416270a24fb9ddd87fc0457/d4a57/Paul_Gillespie_2x_5c5e5db142.jpg 64w,\n/static/6ddf4ee79416270a24fb9ddd87fc0457/19e71/Paul_Gillespie_2x_5c5e5db142.jpg 128w","sizes":"(min-width: 64px) 64px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/6ddf4ee79416270a24fb9ddd87fc0457/e789a/Paul_Gillespie_2x_5c5e5db142.webp 16w,\n/static/6ddf4ee79416270a24fb9ddd87fc0457/ef6ff/Paul_Gillespie_2x_5c5e5db142.webp 32w,\n/static/6ddf4ee79416270a24fb9ddd87fc0457/8257c/Paul_Gillespie_2x_5c5e5db142.webp 64w,\n/static/6ddf4ee79416270a24fb9ddd87fc0457/6766a/Paul_Gillespie_2x_5c5e5db142.webp 128w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 64px) 64px, 100vw"}]},"width":64,"height":64}}}},"JobTitle":"Managing Director","Name":"Paul Gillespie","Position":1},"Content":[{"id":"69e4daa4e0d073233070421d","moduleType":"NormalText","moduleData":{"Text":"<p>The Hertfordshire housing market has delivered its strongest start to a year since 2020, with January's surge in activity setting a positive tone for 2025. However, emerging geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are beginning to introduce a layer of uncertainty, particularly around inflation, energy prices and the future direction of interest rates.<br />While it may take time for the full impact of these global events to become clear, the latest data suggests that the property market itself remains stable and resilient.</p>\n<p><strong>Prices Hold Firm After Strong Start</strong></p>\n<p>Following January's record growth, average asking prices have stabilised. According to Rightmove, the average price of newly listed homes dipped marginally by just &pound;12 in February to &pound;368,019, effectively leaving values flat month-on-month. Despite this pause, prices remain 2.8% higher than they were in December, underlining the strength of the early-year momentum.<br />This steadying is not unexpected. After a sharp uplift, periods of consolidation are often a healthy sign of a more balanced market.</p>\n<p><strong>Improving Supply and Mortgage Conditions</strong></p>\n<p>In the early part of the year, improved mortgage affordability played a key role in supporting buyer activity. Two-year fixed mortgage rates had fallen to approximately 4.28%, close to their lowest level since the 2022 mini-Budget and notably below the 4.96% seen a year ago.<br />At the same time, housing supply has increased significantly. The number of homes coming to market is now at its highest level for this time of year in over a decade, giving buyers more choice and shifting the dynamic towards a more competitive marketplace.<br />As Rolstons' property expert Conor McGee notes, sellers are increasingly recognising that realistic pricing is essential to secure a buyer in current conditions.</p>\n<p><strong>Modest Growth Across the Market</strong></p>\n<p>Other major indices reflect a similar pattern of steady, sustainable growth rather than a rapid rebound.</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Nationwide reported a 0.3% rise in February, with annual growth holding at 1.0% and the average UK home valued at &pound;273,176.</li>\n<li>Halifax recorded a comparable monthly increase, with annual growth edging up to 1.3%.</li>\n<li>Zoopla places the average UK property price at &pound;269,900, up 1.3% year-on-year, while also highlighting a 6% increase in available housing stock.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>This consistent trend across lenders and indices points to a market that is stabilising rather than accelerating.</p>\n<p><strong>Rental Market Shows Signs of Cooling</strong></p>\n<p>The rental market is also beginning to rebalance after several years of significant growth.<br />Average UK rents eased slightly to &pound;1,301 in February, although they remain 2.0% higher than a year ago. Outside London, rents rose modestly by 0.2% month-on-month to &pound;1,120.<br />Improved mortgage affordability has enabled more renters to transition into homeownership, reducing demand pressures. At the same time, increased supply and lower levels of net migration have helped moderate rental growth.<br />London, where affordability is most stretched, is now seeing a more noticeable slowdown. Rents fell by 0.5% in February to &pound;2,067, although they are still approximately 2.0% higher on an annual basis.</p>\n<p><strong>Outlook</strong></p>\n<p>While the underlying fundamentals of the housing market remain stable, the outlook is increasingly influenced by global economic factors. Geopolitical uncertainty is expected to shape inflation expectations and, in turn, the pace at which interest rates may fall.<br />For now, the market appears balanced. Buyers benefit from greater choice and improved borrowing conditions, while sellers must remain competitive and realistic on pricing.<br />In this environment, informed decision-making and expert guidance are more important than ever.</p>\n<p>If you'd like to talk to an agent for more personalised advice, our team is always available to help. We'd love to hear from you for a quick chat or a no-obligation property valuation.</p>\n<p>Warm wishes<br />The team at Rolstons</p>","Title":null,"moduleClass":null,"sectionSpacing":null}}]}}},"pageContext":{"id":"69e4daa4e0d073233070421c","slug":"hertfordshire-housing-market-update-1"}},
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