The property market shift towards coastal and rural areas, which gained momentum during the pandemic, has reversed, with declining interest in these locations as of 2025.

Demand for coastal properties, which surged during the pandemic, has significantly declined as buyers now prioritize proximity to their workplaces in London.

A report from Rightmove indicates that lifestyle priorities have shifted since the pandemic, reversing the trend of moving away from urban areas.

Economic uncertainties and changing work patterns post-pandemic are influencing home buyers to stay close to their offices, with some companies reversing flexible working arrangements.

Interest rates have increased 14 times since 2020, with the average five-year fixed mortgage rate now at 4.73%, more than double the rate from five years ago, resulting in higher monthly mortgage payments.

Interest rate hikes have dampened buyer enthusiasm, leading to fewer completed property chains since September 2022, as noted by Duncan Ley of Humberts in Cornwall.

Surveys indicate that some pandemic-era movers have experienced buyer's remorse, with 12% regretting their rushed decisions and 15% considering moving again.

House price growth in coastal areas has significantly cooled, with an average annual increase dropping from 4.5% during the pandemic to just 1% now.

The average time to complete property sales in coastal areas has increased from 52 days in 2021 to 73 days in 2025, indicating a slowdown in the market.

Despite the pandemic exodus, housing affordability in cities, particularly London, remains a significant issue, with the average first-time home price in the UK increasing by 17% since March 2020.

The desire for more space remains a constant in buyer preferences, with semi-detached and detached houses experiencing greater price increases than flats.

Average rents have risen by 42% over the past five years, outpacing wage growth and complicating the ability for renters to save for a home deposit.