House prices in the UK are expected to rise by 2% by the end of 2024, adding over £5,000 to the average property value, bringing it to over £270,000. This increase follows a challenging market in 2023, with growing confidence among buyers and sellers. While regions like Northern Ireland saw a 3.9% price increase, areas in southern England experienced slight declines. The number of mortgage approvals has remained stable, and lower mortgage rates, like Nationwide's sub-4% offerings, are boosting buyer confidence. First-time buyers are increasingly moving to unfamiliar neighborhoods due to affordability challenges, as many are priced out of their preferred areas.