Manchester has started 2026 as one of the most searched property markets in the country.

Data published at the beginning of the year using Rightmove and Zoopla search figures showed that Greater Manchester was the second most searched UK city for homes during 2025, behind only London.

Search activity is widely used within the property industry as an indicator of buyer demand.

When large numbers of people are actively looking at homes in one area, it usually signals confidence and intent rather than hesitation.

That level of attention reinforces what we are seeing locally. Manchester remains a market people want to buy into.

Official House Price Figures In Manchester

The latest UK House Price Index data from the Office for National Statistics places the average property price in Manchester at approximately £255,000 towards the end of 2025.

First-time buyers in the city paid around £240,000 on average. Flats and maisonettes, which tend to be the starting point for many first-time buyers and single applicants, averaged closer to £200,000.

Annual growth in Manchester has been just over five per cent. That represents steady movement rather than sharp spikes. Prices are increasing, though not at an unsustainable pace.

For buyers planning a move in 2026, these figures provide a realistic framework. Most first time purchases locally are happening within that £180,000 to £240,000 range depending on property type and area.

Mortgage Choice Has Opened Up In 2026

At the same time, lending conditions have shifted in favour of first-time buyers.

In February 2026, The Guardian reported that first-time buyers now have access to the widest range of low deposit mortgages since 2008.

The number of products available at 95 per cent loan to value has increased significantly compared to recent years, and some lenders are offering options up to 98 per cent loan to value.

On a £200,000 property in Manchester, a five per cent deposit equates to £10,000.

Access to higher loan to value lending reduces the upfront barrier for buyers who have struggled to build large deposits while renting.

When you place that alongside Manchester’s average first time buyer price of around £240,000, it becomes clear that the structure of the market in 2026 is different to even two or three years ago.

What This May Mean For First-Time Buyers In Manchester

For some first-time buyers, particularly those with stable income and a smaller deposit saved, the increase in 95 per cent mortgage products could widen the range of properties they are able to consider.

That does not remove affordability checks or lender stress testing. It simply means there may be more lending options available than there were even two years ago.

In Manchester, where demand remains steady and homes priced realistically continue to attract interest, clarity around your numbers matters.

From what we are seeing at Manchestermoneyman, many first-time buyers in Manchester underestimate what lenders may currently be prepared to offer.

This is especially the case with higher loan to value products back in the market.

For those considering a purchase in 2026, the key question is whether your current income, deposit and credit profile place you closer to buying than you assume.

Our mortgage advisors in Manchester are reviewing that position daily with buyers who are testing the market this year.

Date Last Edited: February 13, 2026