“September’s property transaction data and this morning’s Nationwide figures paint a picture of a housing market that continues to defy the gloom. Transaction volumes edged higher on the month and now sit 4% above last year’s level, while prices also ticked up modestly. It’s hardly a boom, but it’s a sign that the market has rediscovered a steady rhythm after a year of volatility.
 
“Despite the political noise and speculation around what the Chancellor might announce next month, many buyers are still getting on with it. The market seems to have accepted that higher borrowing costs are here to stay, and that stability, rather than cheap credit, is the new foundation for confidence.
 
“There’s still a sense of caution under the surface, with some sellers holding back until the dust settles after the Budget, but the underlying story is relatively positive. As the year draws to a close, the housing market looks less like it’s bracing for a storm and more like it’s learning to live with the weather.”