Warfield’s 2–3 bed price gap has widened sharply since 2006, but moving up isn’t as unaffordable. Lower mortgage rates, higher equity, and incomes mean real monthly costs have risen less than headlines suggest making some moves more achievable than assumed.

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest something rather unexpected. After years of worsening affordability, the picture has begun to improve. Wages have risen faster than house prices since 2021, nudging the headline affordability ratios in the right direction. On the face of it, that feels like progress.

Are you contemplating moving home in Stevenage during the next 9 months?

For decades, the flat was the natural starting point for many first-time home buyers. The first rung of the ladder. The affordable option. The stepping stone to something bigger. For landlords, it was a dependable investment. For first-time buyers, it was often the only way in.