A regular face in national media, Richard has spent his career advising businesses and the government on all aspects of the housing market. He's best known for providing insightful commentary and honest advice.
Richard leads the Research team at Zoopla, harnessing our rich data to help you get to grips with your home, your move and the latest trends in the housing market.
Higher mortgage rates and uncertainty have slowed summer market activity, but local conditions are telling a very different story. With sales agreed down 9% year-on-year, accurate pricing and local expertise are more important than ever.
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Stamp duty divides the market by region and buyer type, and frozen thresholds mean the bill has been quietly climbing for over a decade.
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UK house prices continue to show modest growth, up 1.4% year on year in June 2026, supported by easing mortgage rates and resilient demand in many regions. Market activity varies across the UK, with improving affordability helping to stabilise conditions.
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Rental inflation at 2.1% understates what most renters moving home are experiencing. Three-quarters of rental areas are growing faster than the national average. There are 25% fewer homes to rent than pre-pandemic levels which is keeping rent inflation positive.
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Sales are outpacing what demand levels alone would suggest and first-time buyers are raising budgets without lowering expectations. The fundamentals are stable but the outlook remains finely balanced with fewer active buyers in the market.
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Sellers are finding buyers as fast as last year and buyer demand has rebounded since Easter. The UK market is proving surprisingly resilient to global uncertainty but confidence varies across the country with higher mortgage rates felt more keenly in the South.
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Richard Donnell highlighted a market facing structural pressure at the recent Living UK conference, but also clear opportunities for builders who adapt.
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The market is still moving, but it’s driven by fewer, more committed buyers as mortgage rates rise. Here’s what you need to know from our latest House Price Index.
Read moreRichard Donnell explores where the new homes market is heading in 2026 and how housebuilders can capitalise on the shifting landscape.
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As the rental market rebalances and the era of effortless lead volumes ends, agents must adapt to changing conditions. Ahead of the full roll-out of the Renters' Rights Act this May, the focus shifts to securing high-quality rental enquiries and winning new landlord instructions.
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The Zoopla House Price Index shows renewed activity in the housing market, presenting immediate opportunities to build instruction volumes and sales pipelines.
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When 15.2 million homeowners see their value gains tick upwards, they gain the confidence to move. See the latest exclusive Zoopla data on the value of the UK’s 30 million homes and how to turn our estimates into your instructions.
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As 2026 opens with an 8-year supply high and a rebound in buyer demand, it’s all about balancing regional stock surges with realistic pricing strategies to convert increased choice into successful sales.
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Buyers are returning to the housing market as confidence improves and mortgage rates fall, but a growing number of homes for sale is giving more choice and reshaping market conditions across the country.
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Richard Donnell shares the key themes and data-led forecasts for the 2026 estate agency landscape, as presented at the recent Negotiator Conference & Awards.
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We’ve ranked every UK postcode area by its growth potential in 2026, based on key market indicators. How does your area stack up?
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We expect a stronger than usual start to 2026 as buyers return to the market. The appetite to move home remains strong but affordability remains a constraint for those buying their first home or looking to trade-up to a larger home, which will keep prices in check.
Read moreRental growth slows to 2.2% as supply rises and demand drops to 6-year low.
Read moreHouse prices fall for the first time in 18 months across southern England, but threat of new property tax removed from 210,000 homes.
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Richard Donnell explores the important property tax changes announced in the Autumn Budget, breaking down which markets will be hit and how to support clients.
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Our new research shows that while the industry may be busy polishing its automation tools, sellers are gently reminding everyone that property decisions are still deeply personal - although this does vary across groups of consumers.
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The UK sales market has registered a strong recovery over the last two years, with agents now managing the largest sales pipeline since 2021.
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Take an exclusive look at my keynote presentation from the recent Homes for Scotland Annual Conference, where I explored the market outlook for housebuilders in Scotland today.
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Stamp duty speculation may not signal change, but it creates opportunities for proactive agents to guide buyers and sellers.
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Budget uncertainty has triggered the usual festive slowdown 6 to 8 weeks ahead of schedule, resulting in the first annual drop in sales agreed in two years and a 7% boost in available homes for sale.
Read moreSupply and sale numbers continue to climb as mortgage rates stabilise, but the north/south divide widens and pre-Budget speculation slows the premium market.
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Our Viability of Homebuilding Report reveals that building homes is not currently financially viable across 48% of the country, leading to four key reform recommendations that will support the new homes industry to increase housing delivery and build more homes.
Read moreThe UK rental market is starting to normalise as supply and demand rebalance, while affordability remains a key constraint on future rent growth.
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House price growth has steadied at 1.3% year on year, but the market remains firmly in buyers’ hands. Homes priced too high are taking more than twice as long to sell, making accurate pricing the key to moving stock this autumn. Get the latest insights from our August House Price Index below.
Read moreFrom house prices to mortgage rates, here are the key factors set to shape the UK property market in the coming years, and what this means for you.
Read moreThe UK housing market is defying seasonal norms this July, presenting unique opportunities and challenges for agents and housebuilders. Our latest House Price Index unpacks unexpectedly high demand, surging sales volumes and record supply in the current market.
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Unpacking the differences in London’s property market, and what agents need to do to stay ahead.
Read moreSales are up, supply is growing, and pricing power is shifting. Dive into the latest Zoopla House Price Index to see what it means for your market.
Read moreThe rental market boom is over according to our latest report, here's everything you need to know about today's rental market.
Read moreOur House Price Index tracks the key trends in the UK housing market, showing agreed sales in May have reached the highest level in 4 years. With lots of homes for sale and price rises modest, buyers can benefit from relaxed affordability testing while sellers need to be supported with pricing advice.
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House price inflation is losing momentum as seasonal factors and growing economic uncertainty cools buyer demand, while supply continues to expand. More homes for sale are boosting choice and keeping house prices in check.
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Rental inflation has slowed, which will be welcome news to renters, but there are still 12 people chasing every home for rent. Growing supply is essential to support those on lower incomes and policy reforms for the rental market need to minimise the impact on supply.
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