My Bespoke Agent Posted: 19th July 2025

Will There Be a Reading House Price Crash in 2025?

Will There Be a Reading House Price Crash in 2025?

In early 2023, most property forecasters were predicting a serious downturn in the UK housing market. Halifax estimated an 8% drop, Savills forecast 10%, and Nomura Bank even warned of a 15% fall. These predictions made national headlines — but what actually happened tells a very different story.

According to the UK Land Registry, house prices are currently 1.76% higher than in January 2023, and in Reading, average house prices are only 2.55% lower. In real terms, we’ve seen price stability — not the crash so widely anticipated.

Now, halfway through 2025, many are asking again:
Is a Reading house price crash coming this year?

Based on current market data, expert forecasts, and what we’re seeing locally at Bespoke Estate Agents, the answer is a clear no.

Reading House Prices in Context

It’s true that UK property prices dipped slightly in early 2025. Nationwide reported a 0.8% fall in June — the steepest monthly drop in two years — and the Land Registry’s April figures showed a 2.8% annual decrease. But let’s be clear: these are modest corrections following the extraordinary pandemic-fuelled growth of 2020–2022. The market isn’t crashing — it’s simply normalising.

Even Rightmove, which tracks asking prices rather than completions, reported just a 0.3% drop in June, attributing it to increased supply and the fading effects of temporary stamp duty reliefs.

Data That Predicts the Future

A key insight comes from Denton House Research, which monitors £ per square foot at the point of sale agreed — not completion. Their data leads the Land Registry by five months and correlates with 98% accuracy.

  • In January: £338.67 per sq.ft.

  • Today: £346.25 per sq.ft.

That’s a 2.24% rise in pre-completion pricing, which tells us that national house prices will likely be higher by January 2026. It’s another clear indicator that we are not heading for a crash.

What’s Happening in Reading?

Let’s look at Reading property sales volume — a reliable indicator of market health.

  • H1 2024: 1,579 homes sold (subject to contract)

  • H1 2025: 1,627 homes sold

That’s a year-on-year increase in buyer activity — suggesting growing market confidence.

In July 2023, there were 1,317 homes for sale in Reading. Today, that number is 1,706. This increase in supply means buyers have more choice, reducing bidding wars but maintaining steady demand. It’s a balanced market, not a distressed one.

Why Reading Prices Remain Resilient

1. Falling Mortgage Rates

After peaking above 6% in 2023, mortgage rates have stabilised. Many fixed-rate deals are now below 4.5%, and the Bank of England is expected to cut its base rate further. Improved affordability supports buyer confidence.

2. Strong Labour Market

With unemployment at 4.6% and wage growth holding at 5.2%, most households are not under financial stress. That reduces the risk of forced sales, which are typically what trigger price crashes.

3. Stricter Lending Rules

Thanks to the Mortgage Market Review in 2014, borrowers have had to pass stress tests at 6.5–8%. This means the vast majority of homeowners can afford their mortgages even in today’s rate environment. Unlike in 2007–08, the housing market has been built on solid foundations.

4. Rising Rents

Rental prices in Reading continue to rise. This encourages more first-time buyers and reduces rental stock as some landlords exit the market. This added pressure helps support first-time buyer demand, especially in affordable areas like RG1, RG2, RG30 and RG6.

National vs Local: Regional Trends Matter

It’s worth noting that while some parts of London and the South East have seen small declines, other areas — especially in the North of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland — continue to see moderate growth.

Reading sits in a unique position: still relatively affordable for the South, with strong commuter links, a vibrant economy, and a desirable lifestyle mix. These factors help buffer it from broader downturns.

So, Will House Prices Crash in Reading?

It’s highly unlikely.

A true housing crash requires a perfect storm:

  • Mass unemployment

  • Mortgage rate spikes

  • Lending restrictions

  • A surge in repossessions

None of these conditions are present. Even external shocks — like slower rate cuts or political change — are more likely to cause small dips or pauses, not a crash.

Our View at Bespoke Estate Agents

Here at Bespoke Estate Agents in Reading, we’ve seen continued confidence from buyers and sellers across RG1, RG2, RG30, RG31 RG4, RG5 and RG6. Listings are picking up, viewings are strong, and sales are being agreed steadily — not at fire-sale prices, but with realistic, well-advised sellers and serious, motivated buyers.

If you’re considering selling, buying or investing in 2025, this is a market to approach with knowledge, not fear. Tune out the national headlines and focus on the facts — particularly in your local area. If you are not sure which part of Reading is perfect for you then read our insights into different locations Area Guides | My Bespoke Agent

Thinking of Selling or Buying in Reading?

Understanding your home’s real market value is the first step, you book a home visit, for a chat over coffee Free Home Valuation in Reading | My Bespoke Agent


At Bespoke Estate Agents, we offer:

  • Accurate, up-to-date valuations

  • Straightforward advice from a local expert

  • No pressure. No nonsense. Just honest help

     

Whatever your moving plans, buying or selling we've proabably written a guide to help you The Knowledge Centre | My Bespoke Agent 

Message us or book a face-to-face valuation. Based locally, trusted across Reading. 

Require a Conveyancing Solicitor?

Require a Conveyancing Solicitor?

For an even smoother moving experience, we can introduce you to our network of trusted conveyancing solicitors. For a no-obligation introduction and Bespoke conveyancing quote, click below.

Bespoke Conveyancing

Read What Our
Customers Say

"

Mark is a fantastic estate agent. He is not only professional but also genuinely cares about his clients’ needs. Mark consistently provided honest and thoughtful opinions on every property we viewed, which made the entire process much easier and more transparent.
What really stood out was his attention to detail and the thorough research he conducted on each property. Mark always ensured that I had all the relevant information, presenting each option with clarity and accuracy. His dedication and integrity gave me confidence in making informed decisions.
I highly recommend Mark to anyone looking for an estate agent who is trustworthy, knowledgeable, and committed to delivering the best possible service.

Su Star

"

Can highly recommend Mark from Bespoke agents. Very pro active and good communication all round during the sale of our flat. Great with social media as well and reaching out to potential buyers.

Rian

"

We sold and purchased property with Bespoke Estate Agents. We would commend and recommend Mark in a heart beat!
From beginning to end, Mark was excellent in every respect. He is knowledgeable, professional, reliable and affordable and it was a pleasure to deal with. Thank you so much Mark for a 5 star service!

GM

"

He was extremely professional, friendly, and well-prepared, answering all my questions with great detail and patience. His knowledge of the property and the local area was impressive, making it both informative and enjoyable. I really appreciated his helpful approach and clear communication. I highly recommend Bespoke to anyone looking for a professional and reliable estate agent. Thank you for your excellent service!

Manish S

"

We recently sold our house with the help of Mark at Bespoke Estate Agent, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. From start to finish, Mark demonstrated exceptional professionalism, expertise, and genuine care for our needs.
What stood out most was the personalized approach. Mark took the time to understand what made our property unique and crafted a tailored strategy to showcase it in the best light. The marketing was superb—professional photography, compelling descriptions, and well-targeted outreach.
Communication was seamless throughout the process. Mark kept us informed at every stage, promptly answering our questions and providing valuable insights that made the entire experience stress-free. His negotiation skills were second to none, and we were thrilled with the final outcome.
If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, personable, and proactive estate agent who truly goes above and beyond, we can’t recommend Mark and Bespoke Estate Agent enough. Thank you for making what can be a daunting process smooth and easy.

Sam M

"

Selling my apartment whilst living abroad was a long and drawn out business filled with problems. But fortunately I had Bespoke Estate Agents working for me. Mark is an agent who goes above and beyond to make sure that you are always kept informed about every situation. Whilst putting in a lot of time and a huge amount of effort to make everything happen to ensure the sale progressed. Very highly recommended.

Melvin

"

The only way to sell your property! What a refreshing change! Right from the word go Mark proved himself to be outstanding in his approach. Our property was showcased brilliantly, including a personal video walk through, excellent photography, drone video both inside, and outside the property and the local area also sharing personal knowledge of the local area. The valuation process is researched thoroughly and shared with the seller. Mark kept us informed promptly. The property was marketed so quickly and viewings were booked the same day and every day after that. We were amazed. Well done Bespoke for standing out from the rest. We thoroughly recommend Bespoke Estate Agents for your best choice of Estate Agent.

Maxine

"

Brilliant service from start to end. Quick to respond and keep us up to date. Very good photos and descriptions given. Well organised with plenty of viewings and a very good rate - would definitely recommend!!!!

Tony P

"

The presentation of our property. The in care in keeping us full informed. Speed in finding a buyer. We loved the drone presentation.

Richard and Ann

"

You have been amazing -thank you so much for your professionalism, attention to detail, always keeping us informed and obtaining the price you did. Will definitely recommend you. Celia & Paul

Celia & Paul

"

“Bespoke Estate Agents were very informative on my initial meeting with them. Throughout the process of selling my home I was kept up to date with any feedback from potential buyers and felt that their knowledge and experience has made this notoriously stressful time much smoother for me. Always helpful and poIite with a very positive outlook I would highly recommend them.” - Jan Moloney.

Jan M

"

Really impressed with MyBespokeAgents! Mark and Oliver have been great at communicating to us about viewings and the sale progress. First week our flat was on the market and we received 3 offers (1 above asking!)! Very accommodating to us with timings and cats. Very personable people and very happy with the service! X

Amy C

"

A fantastic agent with a wealth of knowledge. No bias, just good old fashioned honest integrity. I would highly recommend Mark and his years of experience in finding the right home for the right buyer. 

Kay G

"

I dealt with Mark Heneghan as a buyer and found him to be excellent. Very thorough and professional. Overall, very happy. Thank you Mark.

Craig H

"

I have been dealing with Mark Heneghan who has been excellent from the start, available day and evening, answers all questions very promptly, has offered unbiased advice and generally has been easy to work with. Excellent service.

James C

"

Mark Heneghan's advice has been invaluable in assisting my family sell our late uncle's house. I would highly recommend him as a local property expert and certainly recommend Mark to anyone wishing to sell their home. Nothing has been too much trouble for Mark and with us living some distance away from the property this has made everything so much easier.

Suzanne M

"

We couldn't have asked for better service from Mark Heneghan. Our experience has been exactly as he promised in our initial meeting with him; personal, professional and enthusiastic. His experience and knowledge of property in this area and his availability to respond to our queries was particularly impressive. We would highly recommend working with him.

Sarah C

"

Mark Heneghan has been very supportive from start to finish. This was my first time selling, so I had plenty of questions! Answering my calls and emails any time of the day. I work full time, so I found this extremely useful. I have no hesitation in recommending purplebricks Mark. Thank you!

 

Vanessa

"

Mark is a fantastic guy to work with. I would most definitely recommend him to anyone who is thinking of moving

Clare Y

"

Mark leads by example and pushes all his to staff to achieve their best whilst offering his unconditional support throughout.

Charles R
How Much is Your Property Worth?

Discover the true value of your property with the top estate agents in Reading.

Unlock the potential of your property with a CONFIDENTIAL, FREE, NO-OBLIGATION valuation and marketing consultation from Reading’s top estate agents. Our experienced property experts provide an accurate assessment tailored to current market trends, ensuring you’re informed and confident in your next steps. Don’t just wonder—discover what your property is truly worth with a trusted team dedicated to helping you maximize value

Book a Valuation