Asking prices for new-build homes have risen considerably in certain areas of Britain, even as the overall housing market experiences a slowdown. Data from estate agent membership body Propertymark indicates that the average price of a newly listed home has increased by almost 13 percent in Wales over the past year, reaching £381,716 as of July 2026. This represents a jump of £43,494 between July 2025 and July 2026.
In contrast, the wider housing market saw asking prices fall by 2 percent in August, according to separate data from Rightmove. This month-on-month drop of £7,360 is the largest average asking price decrease for August since 2018.
Buyers of new-builds in Wales are paying a premium, with the typical price of a non-new property standing at £291,349, meaning a brand-new home costs nearly £90,000 more. Similar trends are observed in other more affordable regions. In the West Midlands, new properties are listed at an average of £418,281, an increase of 8.8 percent or £33,838 from the previous year.
The number of new-build homes entering the market in England has reportedly fallen to its lowest point since 2017, attributed to higher construction costs and housebuilder concerns about the impact of rising mortgage rates on buyer demand. This decreased supply, coupled with demand, can lead to price increases.
The North East region has the cheapest new builds with an average asking price of £345,867, which is an 8.8 percent or £27,878 increase over the year. This is a substantial £133,378 premium compared to the average non-new build asking price of £212,489.
In Scotland, new homes have seen an increase of £20,287 in the last year, bringing the average asking price to £388,073, a 5.5 percent rise. Second-hand homes in Scotland are priced considerably lower, at an average of £228,276.
However, the trend of rising new-build prices is not universal. Some areas in the south of England have experienced declines. The East of England saw the most significant drop, with the average asking price for a new-build property falling by £18,713 to £505,001 in July 2026, a 3.6 percent decrease from July 2025. In London, the average asking price decreased by 0.8 percent annually to £839,100, a drop of £6,766. The South East also recorded a slight decrease of £3,300, with new-build properties averaging £548,809.
These price fluctuations may be influenced by factors such as the sluggish market for flats, which can be affected by buyer concerns over leasehold, cladding, and service charges. Nathan Emerson, chief executive at Propertymark, noted the regional disparities in new-build price changes and highlighted that any housing-related announcements in the upcoming budget are likely to be closely watched, especially measures aimed at assisting first-time buyers.