A new £2m-plus home surcharge is billed as progressive, but its impact falls mainly on London and the South East, where many owners now face an annual bill from 2028. Critics warn it punishes long-term residents, cools the prime market and deepens regional divides, even as households weigh downsizing. Many fear a new cliff edge at £2m too.

As a new year begins, many Attleborough homeowners and buyers are asking the same question: what will happen to house prices in 2026, and when is the right time to move? This article looks beyond forecasts and headlines to examine the real drivers of the local market, focusing on supply, demand, and affordability to understand what may lie ahead.

This map highlights how uneven UK house price growth has been over the last decade. While some regions have surged ahead, others have seen far more modest gains. It’s a clear reminder that national averages hide wide regional differences, and that property performance is always shaped by local markets rather than headlines.

The Autumn Budget brought predictable housing and tax shifts, headlined by a 2028 levy on £2m+ homes that affects under 1% of properties but will shape behaviour for years. Landlords face tighter margins as taxes rise, while Attleborough’s market absorbs uncertainty. The measures add clarity rather than comfort as pressures build.