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Estate Agents in Christchurch, Southbourne, Highcliffe & Bransgore
Market Update for Christchurch, Southbourne, Highcliffe and Bransgore – May 2026
May’s property market has been more resilient than many expected.
Rightmove’s latest House Price Index shows the average price of property coming to market rising by 1.2% to £378,304. The number of sales being agreed is only 4% lower than this time last year, despite mortgage rates being higher and the wider economic backdrop remaining uncertain.
That resilience matters. But here on the coast, the more relevant point is choice.
Rightmove also reports that the number of homes available for sale is at its highest level for this time of year since 2015. For buyers in Christchurch, Southbourne, Highcliffe and Bransgore, that means there is more to look at, more to compare and, in some cases, more room for sensible negotiation.
A coastal market with different motivations
Our local market is not driven purely by numbers on a spreadsheet.
People move here for very real reasons: the coastline, the schools, the New Forest, the harbour, the slower pace of life and the ability to walk to places that make day-to-day life enjoyable.
We continue to see interest in homes around Mudeford Quay, Friars Cliff, Stanpit, Purewell, West Christchurch, Southbourne Grove, Tuckton, Chewton Farm, Highcliffe village and Bransgore. Each of these areas has its own buyer profile.
Southbourne often appeals to younger professionals, downsizers and lifestyle buyers who want the beach, cafés and an easy route into Bournemouth or Christchurch. Highcliffe attracts those looking for coastal living with a quieter feel and access towards the New Forest. Bransgore has its own village identity and appeals strongly to families and buyers wanting space. Christchurch remains broad and resilient, with everything from town-centre convenience to waterside and family homes.
That variety helps support the local market.
What the official data says
The latest ONS figures show the average house price in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole was £307,000 in February 2026, down 2.4% year-on-year. For mortgage buyers, the average was £305,000, also lower than a year earlier.
For the wider Dorset area, the average house price was £327,000, down slightly by 1.2%, while average private rents rose to £1,037 per month in March 2026, up 3.2% year-on-year.
That tells a balanced story. Prices have softened in places, particularly where affordability has been stretched, but rents continue to rise and demand for well-located homes remains strong.
Pricing carefully is now essential
The days of simply adding a bit more to the asking price and hoping the market catches up are behind us, at least for now.
Buyers have choice. They are comparing similar homes closely, especially in areas where several properties of the same type are on the market at once.
The homes performing best locally tend to have three things in common:
They are priced realistically from the start.
They are well presented.
They have a clear lifestyle appeal.
That might mean a family home near Twynham School, a bungalow close to the cliff top in Highcliffe, a character cottage near Bransgore village, or a modern apartment within walking distance of Southbourne Grove.
Mortgage rates: a slight improvement
Rightmove’s mortgage tracker shows the average two-year fixed mortgage rate has moved down to 5.18%, from 5.42% last month.
That is not a dramatic change, but it is helpful. For buyers working to a monthly budget, even a modest improvement can keep a purchase viable.
We are seeing buyers remain active, but thoughtful. Many are not stretching recklessly. They are looking for the right home, at the right price, with the right long-term fit.
The rental market remains important
The rental market continues to be busy, particularly for good-quality homes close to schools, transport and the coast.
The Renters’ Rights Act is also now part of the conversation for landlords and tenants. From 1 May 2026, tenants in the private rented sector with assured or assured shorthold tenancies gain new rights, including the right to request to keep a pet, which landlords cannot unreasonably refuse. The Act also requires greater clarity around written tenancy information and introduces changes to possession rules, including specific provisions relating to student lets.
For tenants, the intention is greater security and transparency. For landlords, the message is equally clear: compliance, documentation and professional management matter more than ever.
Locally, we are still seeing committed landlords remain in the market, but they are rightly paying closer attention to regulation, property standards and long-term returns.
Our view
The market across Christchurch, Southbourne, Highcliffe and Bransgore remains active, but more balanced.
Buyers have more choice. Sellers still have demand, provided they are realistic. Landlords face more regulation, but rental demand remains strong.
This is not a market for guesswork. It is a market where local knowledge matters – not just knowing what homes are worth, but understanding why buyers are drawn to one road, one school catchment, one beach access point or one village over another.
For those taking proper advice, May remains a positive and workable market.
Recently listed by Slades –
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To see the very latest homes as they hit the market, head to our website or click ‘New to market homes‘.
Planning a move this Spring
If you’d like a clear, evidence-based view of value and a marketing plan tuned to today’s conditions, we’ll help you set the right strategy – street-by-street pricing, best-in-class presentation, and proactive buyer matching – so you can move forward with confidence. Please feel free to contact any of our offices, either for an informal chat about the market and how we can help, or to book a market appraisal.
Why not try our Instant online valuation tool to get started?
By Jason Hallowes, Director, Slades Estate Agents
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