This Month’s Top Buyer Question (and How I Answered It)

Posted on: 01st September 2025 | Filled under: Property Market Tips And Tricks
Written by: Mark King

Every month, I speak to dozens of buyers and sellers across South Wales. One question kept coming up recently, so I thought I would share it here along with my answer.

The question was simple:

“Mark, is now a good time to buy a house in South Wales, or should I wait until interest rates fall?”

What I Told Them

I explained that timing the market is almost impossible. Yes, interest rates are higher than they were a couple of years ago, but waiting is not always the best move.

In South Wales, house prices have softened in many areas, and sellers are more open to negotiation. This means buyers may be able to secure a property today at a lower price than they would if they wait another year. Even if interest rates drop slightly in the future, the savings on your mortgage could be balanced out by higher purchase prices once demand picks up again.

Example: A couple I spoke to in Cardiff were looking at a three-bedroom semi. The seller reduced the asking price by £8,000 to secure a quick deal. If they had waited for cheaper mortgage rates, they might have faced stronger competition and paid closer to the full asking price.

💡 Tip: Focus on the overall cost of buying and owning a home, not just the interest rate. If the numbers work for you now, it may be the right time to move.

What I’m Seeing in the Market

In South Wales right now, I am seeing:

More choice for buyers, as properties stay on the market longer.
Negotiation opportunities, especially on homes that have been listed for three months or more.
Motivated sellers, including those who need to move for work, family, or financial reasons.

This means buyers who are ready to act have more power in the current market than they may have had two or three years ago.

💡 Tip: If you see a home you like, check how long it has been on the market. The longer it has been listed, the stronger your negotiating position.

My Final Answer

So my advice to buyers asking this question was clear: if you have found the right property in South Wales and the mortgage payments are affordable for you, do not wait around hoping for the perfect moment. There is no guarantee that interest rates will fall quickly, and if they do, property prices may rise again.

In other words, buy when the property and the numbers make sense for you, not when the headlines say it is the best time.

💡 Tip: The best time to buy is when you are financially ready and have found a home that fits your needs. Trying to time the market often means missing good opportunities.