The Slow-Cooker Market: What Worthing Sellers Need to Know in October 2026

Looking for a Worthing estate agent who will tell you what the market is really doing? Here is the short version for October 2026.

• UK house prices are up 1.2% in a year. That is steady, not stalled.
• The Bank of England base rate has held at 3.75% since December 2025, so mortgage costs are more predictable.
• Earnings are growing at 3.7%, faster than house prices, so homes are slowly becoming more affordable.
• In Worthing, buyers are taking their time. Homes that are well presented and honestly priced still sell.

Is the Worthing property market slowing down?

Turn on the news and the housing market sounds like a car chase. If prices aren't leaping up every few weeks, we're told the whole thing has gone cold.

Let's do this differently. A quiet market is often a healthy one. What we're seeing now is a market that has found its rhythm. It's less of a sprint and more of a slow cooker: steady, predictable and far easier to plan around.

I'm Susi Knightwell, an independent Worthing estate agent selling family homes across central and East Worthing. Here is what the October 2026 numbers mean for you.

What are UK house prices doing?

The average UK home now costs £288,279, up slightly from £287,949 last month. Over the past year, prices have grown by 1.2%.

If your home were a loaf of bread that cost £1.00 last October, it would cost about £1.01 today. Not a wild ride, but a solid foundation. In May 2021 the average home was worth £246,030, so homeowners have seen their bricks and mortar grow by more than £42,000 since then.

What is happening with mortgage rates?

The question I get asked most, usually over a coffee on the High Street, is about interest rates. The Bank of England base rate is the master switch that shapes what your mortgage costs. It has sat at 3.75% since 18 December 2025.

After months of stillness, the shock has gone. People know what to expect. Mortgage approvals came in at 54,900, down slightly from 58,200 the month before. Tens of thousands of people are still confident enough to sign and move.

What does this mean for selling a home in Worthing?

National figures are the tide. Every rock pool feels it, but each one looks different. Worthing is not the UK average, and a Victorian semi near Selden Road behaves differently from a flat on the seafront.

When buyers feel cautious, they take longer to decide and compare more homes. That is good news for a home that is beautifully presented and priced honestly. It is harder for one that is badly photographed and priced on hope.

Between the shore and the South Downs, good people move to great homes. They just look more carefully than they did in 2021, and your buyer might well be someone you see on the school run.

If you are considering a move, see how I sell homes in Worthing.

Is it a good time to sell in Worthing?

Earnings are growing faster than prices, so more buyers can afford to move. As we head towards the end of 2026, I expect steady as she goes. There is no reason to panic, but every reason to be ready.

If you are thinking of selling, the best first step is a home visit. I'll give you an honest figure based on what's actually selling in Worthing right now, not a number designed to win your instruction. You can also start with an instant Worthing property valuation.

Worthing property market FAQs

Are house prices falling in Worthing?

Every Worthing street and property type behaves differently. Nationally, prices are up 1.2% over the year, which points to a steady market rather than a broadly falling one. A local valuation should be based on recent comparable sales, condition and current buyer demand.

Will mortgage rates drop soon?

Nobody can promise that. The base rate has been 3.75% since December 2025. Speak to an independent mortgage adviser about your own situation.

How long does it take to sell a home in Worthing?

It depends on the type of home, its condition, the asking price and the strength of its launch. Well-presented homes priced for the current Worthing market give themselves the best chance of attracting serious buyers early.

How much is my Worthing home worth?

It depends on the street, the condition and what has really sold nearby. Book a home visit and I'll give you an honest figure.

What areas does Susi Knightwell Properties cover?

I work with family and character homes in central and East Worthing, with one point of contact from the home visit to the day your keys change hands.

Thinking of moving? Call me on 07440 782352 or message @propertyofWorthing on Instagram. No hard sell, just an honest chat.