Swindon Property Market Holds Steady as Autumn Bounce is Muted

TL;DR:

Swindon’s property market remains calm and consistent this autumn, with prices not just holding steady but rising – ahead of the national trend which is more muted. Sales numbers are steady, buyer demand is stable, and well-priced homes are selling in good time. There’s more choice on the market, but serious buyers are acting quickly when the right home appears.

Rightmove’s latest House Price Index was released this week, and it paints a picture of a national housing market that is neither surging nor sliding.

Across the UK, the average asking price has edged up by 0.3% in October to £371,422, a fairly modest rise, but one that in many ways speaks of resilience – or perhaps even stubbornness, in the face of challenges we hear about so often.

The much-referenced “autumn bounce”, that frequently sees sellers push for higher prices this season, hasn’t materialised this year after the normal summer sluggishness. In fact, this October’s increase is well below the ten-year seasonal average, which normally sees prices climb by an average of 1.1%.

Part of the reason behind this is a decade-high number of homes now for sale, a national story but a trend that we are seeing mirrored here in Swindon, where there are currently over 1,200 properties listed for sale on Rightmove. Listing numbers are in fact up year on year on a national level – and new buyer registrations too, according to the October Rightmove Index report.

However, those new listings are up by 5%, whereas buyer levels have increased by around 2% by comparison. It means buyers have plenty of choice, and sellers are having to stay realistic when it comes to price setting.

For all that, the tone of this month’s report is calm rather than gloomy. Year-on-year national asking prices are almost flat (–0.1%), and the number of agreed sales since January is actually up 5% compared with 2024. In short: the market’s ticking along, and at a sensible pace.

Swindon: consistent with signs of a slight rise

Here in Swindon, the picture is fairly similar, but if anything slightly better. Asking prices across the region rose by around 0.4% in October, and are roughly 0.2% higher than a year ago, according to Rightmove’s data.

In Swindon, average asking prices continue to hover in the £280,000-£290,000 range, depending on the property type and area. Family homes in West Swindon and in local villages such as Highworth and Shrivenham remain particularly sought after, whilst areas like Walcot and Old Town are seeing steady demand. When it comes to those Victorian and Edwardian terraced streets close to Swindon’s train station, there is particular demand from first-time buyers, thanks to the relative affordability seen in that part of town.

Transaction levels are also holding firm. We have absolutely no shortage of buyers making enquiries, and our own sales numbers are good – but transactions are taking their time. The recently released ‘Voice of The Agent’ report (part 4) puts average time on market, from first listing to the transaction going through, at 196 days – including 119 days for the conveyancing process, once a sale is agreed.

That seems lengthy to us, and tardier than our own performance at The House Group, but nevertheless it perhaps spells out wider market problems.

A level-headed Swindon property market is a market we can work with

It’s not the kind of market that gets headlines – but solid and steady can also mean ‘healthy’. Buyers aren’t rushing, but there are plenty that are serious. Sellers are more realistic, and when a home is priced right from the start, it sells. The properties that move quickest are those that launch well, with great photography, good presentation (on viewings too, not just for the photos), and list at a sensible asking price. The market is steady as she goes, and that’s no bad thing.

There are question marks hovering over what might come from the budget, and in particular whether reform to stamp duty will benefit buyers – and that has given some pause for thought. However, generally speaking, hesitation over this concern has been more often seen in the upper and prime markets – certainly once over £500,000, but realistically at the million-pound mark and above – and that is an anecdote we are hearing from estate agents across the country.

Swindon’s average house prices being around that £285,000 level is perhaps a reason that the general market here seems less affected. Million-pound sales are not unheard of, but it is that £200,000-£500,000 section of the market that drives things locally.

What does this mean if you are selling a property in Swindon?

If you’re thinking of selling, it’s important to know that the market is moving, but that conditions are more stubborn than previous recent years, and competition from other properties is greater. It means having clarity and confidence in your marketing. As I have alluded to already, the best results still come from homes that are presented well, staged and photographed professionally, and importantly are priced thoughtfully and competitively.

With more properties available on the market, buyers have options – but that doesn’t mean that they won’t act decisively when something stands out. Getting the right advice, focusing on cleanliness, tidiness and presentation, and launching with a strategy rather than a ‘throw enough at the wall and see what sticks’ approach can make all the difference in this sort of market.

What does it mean for anyone buying a property in Swindon?

For buyers, this sort of market stability might be a gift. Prices aren’t running away – they are stabilising to the point of relative flat-lining, at the moment.

Mortgages are still more affordable than a year ago, but seeing mortgage rates inch up this month, for the first time since February, might be a reason to speak to a mortgage adviser now and perhaps secure a rate, in case they rise further. You can always switch to a lower rate product if prices come down before any purchase is made – and with inflation holding at 3.8% for the third month running, as opposed to pushing up to 4% as predicted, we are hearing more talk of a further base rate cut this year after all.

One other advantage of this market is the choice available – for one thing, because that is having the effect of keeping a lid on price increases, but secondly because it means there is simply more choice out there; it is easier to find the right fit at times like this, without the frenzy that we have witnessed in other recent years.

If you’re a house-hunter that has been waiting for the ‘right moment’, this might be it. Sellers are open to fair negotiation, and the playing field feels more balanced than it has in a long time. Who knows, perhaps things could change – but, they could equally change in a way that sees property prices rise. It’s always a risk, so our advice is to move when the property and timing is right for you – not when the ‘best deal’ is to be found.

Those who wait for the ‘best time’ or the ‘best price’ might easily wait forever!

FAQs about the Swindon property market this autumn

1. Is now a good time to sell a house in Swindon?
Yes. The market is steady, and well-presented homes priced sensibly are still achieving strong offers. With plenty of buyers active and more listings creating competition, good marketing really matters.

2. What are average house prices in Swindon right now?
According to Rightmove’s latest data, the average asking price is between £280,000 and £290,000, depending on property type and area. Areas like West Swindon, Old Town, Walcot, and villages like Shrivenham and Highworth, show high demand.

3. How long is it taking to sell a home in Swindon?
Across the UK, the average time from listing to completion is around 196 days, including about 119 days for conveyancing. At The House Group, our own figures show transactions moving through faster than this thanks to careful pricing and proactive sales progression.

A final word

Swindon’s property market is, broadly speaking, much in line with the national picture. It isn’t dramatic, but in many ways that is why it is functioning and why the wheels have not come off.

It’s not about timing the market. It’s about understanding it; and that’s where we come in. We have seen this sort of market before, and that experience really matters when it comes to finding a sensible pair of hands to operate the tiller.

If you have any questions about the current market and what it means for your house price or your potential move, then please contact us – we are always happy to give people not just time, but crucially the benefit of our experience.