If you are thinking about moving in the next 6 to 12 months, a market appraisal is often the best first step. It gives you a clearer view of value, timing and buyer demand, helping you plan with more confidence in a competitive 2026 market.

Over the past 25 years, UK house prices have risen significantly, quietly building wealth for homeowners along the way. While markets move in cycles, the long-term trend remains clear. For many households, their home has become one of the most consistent and powerful drivers of personal wealth.

The way people aged 55 to 64 live today tells a much bigger story than you might expect. Beneath the headline figures lies a quiet shift in homeownership, mortgages and renting that has been decades in the making. To see what’s really changed, and why it matters, read on.

More households are reassessing space in early 2026. If your home feels tighter than it once did, this spring may offer the right conditions to move up.