UK and New Zealand housing markets show subdued July activity

Housing markets in the United Kingdom and New Zealand showed signs of stagnation or decline in July 2026.

In the UK, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) reported a subdued market. While the pace of declining buyer demand and sales has eased compared to earlier in the year, both metrics remained negative. House price falls were widespread, particularly in London and the South East, though Northern Ireland saw rising prices. Sentiment regarding future sales is showing slight improvement, but high mortgage costs and geopolitical factors continue to weigh on the sector.

In New Zealand, the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) noted a slump in sales volumes, which fell 10% year-on-year. The national median selling price dropped to $760,000, a 1.9% decrease from June. While Auckland saw a decline in both sales and prices, the Taranaki region experienced a surge in sales activity, marking its highest July count since 2021, despite a softening in local median prices.