What Could Happen to Crediton House Prices in 2026

It's a new year question – should you put your Crediton home on the market now, or wait until spring?

It’s something we hear a lot around this time of year. In the weeks before Christmas, we had plenty of chats with buyers, sellers, and landlords across Crediton – and one question came up time and again:

What’s going to happen to house prices in 2026?

Some first-time buyers are worried about buying just before a potential downturn. Homeowners wonder if we’re heading for a boom, and if so, whether they should sell before prices peak. Landlords, as always, are trying to work out if now’s the time to expand or start scaling back.

There’s no crystal ball. But most property experts aren’t predicting doom and gloom – and no one’s talking about a boom either. So what’s actually going on?

The Basics – It’s Still About Supply and Demand

Forget forecasts and headlines. House prices are still shaped by one thing: supply and demand.

When there are more buyers than homes available, prices tend to hold firm or go up.
When there are more homes than buyers, prices can soften.

It’s always been that simple, and it still is.

What’s Happening With Supply in Crediton

Let’s look at how many homes were on the market in January each year:

• 2020: 180
• 2021: 149
• 2022: 69
• 2023: 127
• 2024: 187
• 2026: 290

So, supply dropped sharply between 2020 and 2022, when prices were climbing, but it’s now crept back up again – and then some.

A big part of this goes back to the pandemic. Many Crediton households started rethinking what they wanted from their homes – more space, bigger gardens, room to work from home. That race for space brought forward lots of moves that might’ve happened later. Demand spiked, homes sold quickly, and stock levels dropped.

Now, we’re back to 2020-level supply, though still well below the 570 to 630 homes that were on the market here in 2008. So while things are up compared to a couple of years ago, they’re not alarmingly high.

Put simply, we’re not seeing anything that suggests a crash is on the cards.

What About Demand

Demand is mainly about mortgage availability, affordability, and confidence.

Here’s how many homes have sold in Crediton, EX17, each year:

• 2020: 334
• 2021: 428
• 2022: 353
• 2023: 298
• 2024: 258
• 2025: 295

After the post-pandemic boom in 2021, things dipped as interest rates rose and buyers took a breather. But in 2025, demand started to recover – and there’s every reason to think that could continue.

Unlike 2008, we’re not seeing widespread financial pressure. Most homeowners are on mortgage rates between 3 and 5 percent, wages are rising, and unemployment remains low. That means fewer forced sales and a more stable market overall.

Thinking of Buying Your First Home

This is one we hear a lot. Should first-time buyers hold off and wait for prices to drop?

The truth is, it’s more about your own circumstances than market timing.

If the right home comes along, and it’s affordable, suits your needs, and you’re in a good position, hanging back could mean missing out. Buying is a long-term move. Trying to time the market perfectly can keep you stuck on the sidelines for years.

Right now, first-time buyers nationally are spending around 26.5 percent less of their take-home pay on mortgage payments than they were in 2007. There are still decent mortgage deals out there, especially on fixed rates. Even 5 percent deposit mortgages are available, though the interest rates are a bit higher.

And of course, every month spent renting is money you’re not putting into your own bricks and mortar.

And For Landlords

Landlords will be glad to know that while prices have steadied, rents have risen above inflation in many cases. That means higher yields and solid long-term returns.

We’re still seeing strong tenant demand across the Crediton area, especially for well-presented homes. If you’re thinking of expanding your portfolio, or letting go of a few properties, it’s worth having a proper chat about what’s performing and what’s not.

So Where Will Prices Go in 2026

We expect Crediton house prices to grow by around 1 to 2 percent over the year, much like they did in 2025.

Of course, that’s an average. Some property types and locations will do better than that, while others might sit slightly below. The key is affordability, both in terms of mortgages and general cost of living.

If you’re planning for a move this year, try to give yourself some financial breathing room in case rates change again, be realistic about pricing, and make decisions based on your own situation – not just the headlines.

Over to You

These are just our thoughts, based on what we’re seeing and hearing here in Crediton every day.

We’d love to hear yours. Whether you're buying, selling, renting or just curious, feel free to get in touch or pop in for a chat. No pressure, just honest advice.

[email protected]
01363 777999