I get asked the same two questions more than anything else at the moment: "Is now a good time to buy?" and "Should I wait for rates to drop?"
I can't predict the future — nobody can, whatever the papers say. But I can tell you what I'm actually seeing day to day with my clients in Alsager, Crewe, and the surrounding areas. So here's a plain-English update on where things stand this spring.
What's happening with rates?
The good news is that rates have been coming down gradually since late 2025. Lenders are competing for business, which means better deals for borrowers. I've had a few clients recently who were pleasantly surprised at what's available compared to when they last looked.
Typical rates I'm seeing (spring 2026)
These are rough ranges based on what I'm arranging for clients right now. Your actual rate depends on your deposit, income, credit history, and the lender. Every situation is different — that's why I search across a comprehensive panel rather than just looking at one or two.
Here's the thing most people don't realise: most mortgage offers are valid for 6 months. So you can lock in a rate now, and if something better comes along before you complete, we can switch. You're not committing to anything by getting the ball rolling early.
What's happening with house prices locally?
No drama here — which is actually a good thing. Prices locally have been steady, with gentle growth of around 2–3% over the past year. No big spikes, no drops. If you're buying, that's reassuring. You're not overpaying into a bubble, and you're not going to see the value fall off a cliff either.
Typically £280–310k. Not much comes up and it goes quickly. I see a lot of young families and first-time buyers looking here — it's a lovely place to live.
Entry points from around £150–180k, which makes it realistic for first-time buyers who don't have a huge deposit. The town centre is changing too — there's a lot of regeneration happening.
Around £290–320k on average. Popular market town with the M6 on the doorstep. A few new developments have added more choice recently.
One of the more affordable spots in Cheshire East. You can still find terraces from around £185k. Nice market town feel without the Knutsford price tag.
One thing worth mentioning: the stamp duty changes from April 2025 are now fully bedded in. First-time buyers pay nothing on the first £300,000 (it used to be £425,000). For most people buying locally, that means no stamp duty at all. If you're buying above £300,000, use my stamp duty calculator to see exactly what you'd pay.
What are lenders doing?
This is where things have genuinely improved. Lenders are being more flexible than they were 12–18 months ago. A few things I've noticed with my own clients recently:
Self-employed borrowers have more options — I've had a couple of clients recently who only had one year of accounts, and we still found them a good deal. That wasn't possible with most lenders a year ago.
5% deposit mortgages are properly available again — not just from one or two lenders, but from the mainstream names. If you've been saving and you've hit 5%, that's enough to get started.
Borrowing amounts are reasonable — most lenders are still offering 4.5 times your income, and some go higher for certain professions like teachers and NHS staff. That makes a real difference to what you can afford.
Remortgage deals are competitive — lenders want your business, so if your fixed rate is ending in the next 6 months, it's well worth looking now rather than waiting.
So what should you actually do?
If you're a first-time buyer:
Spring is traditionally when more properties come to market, so there's more choice. Rates are better than they were a year ago. If you've got your deposit sorted and you're ready, there's no obvious reason to wait. Get a Decision in Principle so you know your budget and you're ready to move when you find the right place.
If your fixed rate is ending:
Start looking 6 months before your deal ends. You can secure a rate now and still switch if something better comes along before completion. The worst thing you can do is nothing — falling onto your lender's Standard Variable Rate (SVR) could cost you hundreds more per month. Use my free Fixed Rate Check tool if you're not sure when your deal ends.
If you're thinking about moving:
The market is active but not frantic. Buyers have a bit more negotiating power than they did during the post-pandemic rush. Get your finances sorted first — know what you can borrow, what your monthly payments would be, and what you'd need for stamp duty and fees. Then you can move quickly when you find the right property.
I'll update this as things change through the year. If you want to talk through your own situation — whether you're buying for the first time, remortgaging, or just trying to work out your options — give me a shout. I'm always happy to have a chat, and there's no charge for that.
Any questions, just let me know.
