Saturday, 12 April 2025

Huddersfield Q1 2025 Property Market Report

 

Huddersfield Q1 2025

Property Market Report

 The Huddersfield Property Market in Q1 2025: Stability Behind the Headlines

Understanding what’s really going on in the Huddersfield property market is essential to seeing past the noise—whether you're planning to buy, sell, invest, or simply stay informed.

Since September 2022, mainstream headlines have leaned heavily toward doom and gloom—talking of market crashes and plummeting house prices. But when we turn away from the clickbait and look at the actual numbers, a different narrative emerges. Not only is the UK property market holding firm, but Huddersfield, in particular, is showing real resilience and signs of renewed strength.

Let’s break it down—nationally and locally.


National Market Trends: Q1 2025

1. New Properties Coming to Market – Supply Side

New listings are a critical health indicator in any housing market. In Q1 2025, 444,742 UK properties were listed for sale. That’s nearly identical to Q1 2024 (444,668) and significantly higher than Q1 2023 (407,946).

This suggests:

  • Confidence among sellers remains strong.
  • We're not seeing a rush to the market or panic selling (as we did in 2008, when new listings spiked dramatically).
  • The supply-demand balance is relatively stable.

2. Properties Sold Subject to Contract (SSTC) – Demand Side

308,258 homes were sold SSTC in Q1 2025. That’s up from:

  • 289,178 in Q1 2024
  • 276,482 in Q1 2023

This steady growth reflects a return of buyer confidence, even in the face of elevated mortgage rates and economic headwinds.


Price Bands: What's Actually Selling?

The breakdown of listings vs. sales by price band is especially revealing:

  • Up to £250k:
    • Listings: 34.6%
    • Sales: 40.6%
      Lower-priced homes are outperforming.
  • £250k–£500k:
    • Listings: 41.2%
    • Sales: 41.1%
      Stable demand.
  • £500k–£750k:
    • Listings: 13.7%
    • Sales: 11.3%
      Slight oversupply.
  • £750k–£1m:
    • Listings: 5.3%
    • Sales: 3.9%
      Buyers cautious in this band.
  • £1m+:
    • Listings: 5.2%
    • Sales: 3.1%
      Luxury market remains sluggish.

This tells us buyers are gravitating toward affordability and value. In tougher financial climates, that’s no surprise.


Local Market Focus: Huddersfield Q1 2025

Let’s zoom in on our local area—Huddersfield (HD1–5, HD7–8 postcodes).

1. New Listings:

  • 1,068 properties were listed in Q1 2025
  • Average listing price: £269,893
  • Most active range:
    • £150k–£200k: 194 listings
    • £200k–£250k: 183 listings

This reflects where most sellers are positioning their homes—and where demand is clearly strongest.

2. Sales Activity (SSTC):

  • 834 properties sold in Q1 2025
  • Average selling price: £257,889
  • Most active range:
    • £150k–£200k: 179 sales
    • £200k–£250k: 151 sales

There’s a clear correlation between listing volumes and buyer demand in the mid-price range, especially for homes that appeal to first-time buyers and upsizers.


What Do These Figures Really Mean?

Buyers are active, particularly in the lower and mid-price bands.

Sellers must be strategic. Price too high, and you risk missing out on the crucial early interest period—what agents often call the "honeymoon phase."

Nationally, there were 224,750 price reductions in Q1 2025—up from:

  • 198,682 in Q1 2024
  • 243,602 in Q1 2023
  • 119,068 in Q1 2022

With 698,006 homes on the market during Q1 2025, nearly 1 in 3 properties reduced their price.


How to Gauge Market Confidence: The SSTC Ratio Tip

Here’s a practical way to measure buyer confidence in real time:

  1. Go on Rightmove.
  2. Search for properties for sale in Huddersfield.
  3. Note the total number.
  4. Now search the same area, but include ‘Sold STC’ properties.
  5. Subtract the first number from the second—this gives you the number of homes under offer.
  6. Calculate the SSTC ratio:
    SSTC properties / Total properties listed

If that ratio is rising month-on-month, it indicates strengthening buyer confidence. If it’s falling, demand may be cooling.

Want to dig deeper? Run the same check by:

  • Property type (e.g. terraced, detached, flats)
  • Bedroom count (e.g. 2-bed vs. 4-bed) This gives you a more granular sense of demand within your niche.

Strategic Takeaways for Sellers

  • Price realistically from the start – Overpricing often leads to longer time on market and eventual price cuts.
  • Presentation matters – Homes that show well, with quality photos and clean presentation, attract more early interest.
  • Time is a factor – Most interest comes in the first 2–3 weeks. Miss that window, and momentum can slow.

Should You Buy, Sell, or Hold in Huddersfield?

  • Looking to trade up? Now could be a smart move. In real terms (after inflation), UK house prices are 15.1% cheaper than three years ago.
  • Not ready to sell? Renting your property could be a viable option, especially with local rental demand remaining strong.
  • Not in a rush? That’s okay too—just keep an eye on local data and be ready to act when the time is right for you.

Final Thoughts

The Huddersfield property market isn’t crashing—it’s recalibrating. The most active parts of the market are those offering good value and realistic pricing. Buyers are returning, albeit more cautiously and with a greater focus on affordability.

As estate agents, we’re here to guide you through the nuances—whether that’s understanding what buyers are paying today, how to present your home, or when it might be time to adjust your price strategy.

Whatever 2025 has in store, smart decisions will always come from looking at the data—not just the headlines.