There was plenty in the Autumn Budget to get people talking about property. But what does any of it actually mean if you’re thinking about buying or selling in Shrewsbury? And what have house prices been doing in Shrewsbury? Rising or falling… or neither?
There was help for first-time buyers, another tax rise for landlords and more detail on the new council tax surcharge for homes worth £2 million or more.
In truth, the Budget probably won’t change our local market overnight. However, there are one or two announcements that could give it a welcome nudge, particularly if they encourage more first-time buyers to take the plunge.
What did the Budget offer first-time buyers?
The biggest announcement was the £4.7 billion Your First Home scheme.
From 2027, eligible first-time buyers purchasing a qualifying new-build home in England from a participating developer will be able to use a government equity loan worth 20% of the purchase price.
Deposits can start from 2.5%, subject to household income limits, local price caps and the other eligibility rules. The equity loan will also be interest-free for the first five years.
Applications are expected to open in February 2027, with the first purchases from April.
On the face of it, that sounds quite generous, and for some buyers it could make a real difference. But it’s worth remembering that the scheme only applies to qualifying new-build homes. It won’t help every first-time buyer, and it won’t apply to the many older properties we have here in Shrewsbury.
The government also confirmed a new First Time Buyer ISA from April 2029. Savers will be able to put in up to £4,000 a year and receive a 25% government bonus when they buy a qualifying first home costing up to £450,000.
Again, that could be useful, but it’s some way off.
There was also a smaller change that’s already in place. If you have a Lifetime ISA and buy a first home costing more than £450,000, the withdrawal charge has dropped from 25% to 20%. You’ll lose the government bonus, but you’ll get back what you put in.
What about landlords and more expensive homes?
For landlords, the Budget added a further two percentage points to the tax on property income, on top of the rise announced last year. From April 2027, the rates will be 24%, 44% and 49%.
It’s possible this will lead some landlords to review their plans. But it’s far too early to say whether it will result in more rental properties coming onto the market in Shrewsbury.
The High Value Council Tax Surcharge will apply from April 2028 to homes valued at £2 million or more.
That affects a very different part of the market from the typical Shrewsbury home, so I wouldn’t expect it to have much impact on most local buyers and sellers.
So, are house prices in Shrewsbury rising or falling?
There wasn’t enough in the announcements to suggest that a big rise or fall in local prices is just around the corner. If we’re judging it purely on what was announced, more of the same feels most likely.
Our analysis of Land Registry figures found that the average selling price across SY1 to SY5 was around £324,000 in the twelve months to July 2026. That was broadly unchanged from the previous year.
The median (the middle selling price, and often a better guide to a typical sale) was around £280,000, compared with £279,000 a year earlier.
Nationwide’s October figures tell a similar story. UK annual house price growth slowed to 0.5%, with prices flat during the month after seasonal adjustment. Its latest regional figures showed annual growth of just 0.6% in the West Midlands during the third quarter, down from 3.2% the quarter before.
So, prices haven’t been falling through the floor, but they haven’t exactly been racing ahead either.
It’s been a fairly settled market. And that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Could first-time buyers give the market a lift?
This is where I think there may be some room for cautious optimism.
First-time buyers are a really important part of the property market. We need them to buy the smaller starter homes, so those sellers can move up to their next property, and so on.
It can have a knock-on effect all the way through the market.
If these Budget measures give more first-time buyers the confidence and financial help to get moving, that could create a little more activity during 2027. That said, the main scheme is aimed at new builds, so the effect on the wider market might be limited.
That’s not a prediction. But it is something worth watching.
Are fewer homes selling?
Around 1,700 sales were recorded across SY1 to SY5 in the twelve months to July 2026, compared with just over 2,000 in the previous period.
Those figures need some context. Recent sales can take time to appear in Land Registry data, and the April 2025 stamp duty changes encouraged some buyers to complete earlier.
Even so, buyers do appear to be taking more time. They’re comparing homes carefully, thinking about value and being a little more cautious before making an offer.
That doesn’t mean homes aren’t selling. Good homes are still selling, but getting the price and marketing right from the beginning is particularly important.
If you’re thinking of selling, please be careful with the asking price
It’s tempting to choose the agent who gives you the highest valuation. I completely understand why.
But be wary of an agent suggesting an ambitious price simply to win your business.
Valuing a home isn’t an exact science. But with enough thought, research and local knowledge, your agent should be trying to find that sweet spot: a price that attracts strong interest without underselling your home.
Those first few weeks on the market are incredibly important.
If you have to reduce the price later, you risk losing momentum. Instead of buyers walking through the door looking for reasons to buy your home, they can start wondering why nobody else has bought it.
There’s an interesting local statistic that highlights this.
Since the beginning of 2025, TwentyEA data shows that the ten largest Shrewsbury agents reduced the asking price on around 45% of their properties on average.
Our own figure was 22%, around half as often, and we’re finding buyers quicker too.
Of course, there are sometimes perfectly good reasons for adjusting a price. But I do think it shows the value of giving sellers honest advice from the outset, rather than telling them what they want to hear.
Price isn’t the whole story
Getting the asking price right is hugely important, but so is choosing the right time and the right strategy.
Putting your home on the market just before Christmas might mean less competition. But will there be enough ready-to-go buyers looking for your type of property?
There isn’t one perfect time that suits every home or every seller. The right approach depends on your property, your likely buyer and what you hope to do next.
Presentation and marketing matter too. Excellent photography, video and carefully planned marketing beyond the usual property portals can introduce your home to people who might not even be actively searching yet.
And if you’re selling one home to buy another, remember that it’s often the difference between the two prices that really matters.
You might accept a little less for your current home in a flatter market, but you may also be able to negotiate a better price on the home you want to buy.
Frequently asked questions
Have Shrewsbury house prices fallen in 2026?
Not significantly, according to our analysis. The median selling price across SY1 to SY5 was around £280,000 in the year to July 2026, almost unchanged from the previous year.
Did the Budget change stamp duty for ordinary buyers?
No. There was no general change to the standard residential stamp duty rates.
What is the Your First Home scheme?
It’s a government equity loan scheme for eligible first-time buyers purchasing qualifying new-build homes in England. Applications are expected to open in February 2027.
Is now a good time to sell in Shrewsbury?
That depends on your own plans, but buyers are still active. Getting the price, presentation and marketing right is especially important in a more cautious market.
How can I find out what my Shrewsbury home is worth?
A proper valuation should consider recent comparable sales, the condition and location of your home, current demand and overall market sentiment, not simply a postcode average.
Thinking about moving?
If you’re thinking about selling in Shrewsbury or the surrounding area, Bev and I would be delighted to help.
We’ll give you an honest, evidence-based view of what your home might be worth, and talk through the best timing and marketing strategy for your particular circumstances.
There’s no pressure and no obligation. We aren’t that type of agent 😉
View our contact Contact uspage or call us on 01743 612111 or email shrewsbury@gregsloane.com for a friendly chat about your plans.
We’re always happy to help.
Greg & Beverley Sloane
GREG SLOANE RESIDENTIAL
Selling lovely home. Personally.
Shrewsbury and Surrounding Areas.