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House prices unexpectedly rise in April - Nationwide
By Michele Maatouk
Date: Friday 01 May 2026
(Sharecast News) - House prices unexpectedly rose in April despite consumer confidence taking a hit from the Iran war, according to figures released by Nationwide on Friday.
House prices ticked up 0.4% on the month following a 0.9% jump in March, beating expectations for a 0.3% fall. On the year, prices were 3% higher in April following a 2.2% gain the month before.
The average price of a home stood at £278,880, up from £277,186.
Nationwide chief economist Robert Gardner said: "Despite the uncertainty caused by developments in the Middle East and the subsequent rise in energy prices, the UK housing market has continued to regain momentum following the slowdown recorded around the turn of the year.
"This is somewhat surprising given that indicators of consumer confidence have weakened noticeably. GfK's headline index has fallen to its lowest level since late‑2023, reflecting households' more pessimistic views of the economic outlook and their own financial position over the year ahead.
"Measures of housing market sentiment have also deteriorated. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors reported a sharp fall in new buyer enquiries in March, taking the index to its weakest reading since 2023. This softening is likely to have been influenced by higher market interest rates following the onset of the conflict, alongside a more uncertain backdrop."
Gardner said the market was likely being supported by the "relative strength" of household finances.
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