Updated 1 October 2026
Welcome to our October update on the local property market. Each month we pull together the latest official figures for Poole and Bournemouth and add what we’re seeing day to day in our own branches. The short version: prices across BCP have eased a little over the past year, rents are still rising, and what’s happening varies a lot from one neighbourhood to the next.
The headlines
- Average house price across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: £310,000 (July 2026, provisional). That’s 1.9% lower than a year earlier (£316,000).
- Average private rent: £1,398 a month (August 2026), up 2.8% on a year ago (£1,360). That’s about £150 a month above the South West average of £1,245.
- First-time buyers paid £249,000 on average in July, down from £254,000 a year earlier.
- Based on homes sold over the past year, Poole averaged £405,530 (down 5%) and Bournemouth averaged £347,259 (down 2%).
What’s changed since last month? Not much in the headline numbers. The ONS hasn’t yet published its August house price figures (they’re due in mid-October), so the BCP averages above are the same as in our September update. Over the past year, the biggest movements in our area figures are in Sandbanks (down 16%) and Ashley Cross (down 13%), while Oakdale (up 13%) and Redhill (up 8%) are moving the other way. Prices in individual neighbourhoods can swing because relatively few homes sell there, so read them as a guide rather than a precise valuation.
Poole
Homes sold in Poole over the past year averaged £405,530, 5% lower than the year before and 15% below the 2022 peak of £474,367. Detached homes averaged £559,719, semi-detached homes £356,008 and flats £294,917.
Across Poole the picture is mixed. The higher-value areas near the harbour have softened most, with Sandbanks down 16% and Ashley Cross down 13%. Family areas further inland are holding up well: Oakdale is up 13%, Broadstone 3% and Canford Heath is flat.
| Area | Average sold price (last 12 months) | Change on previous year |
|---|---|---|
| Sandbanks | £1,011,848 | Down 16% |
| Lilliput | £668,284 | Down 3% |
| Lower Parkstone | £534,990 | Down 3% |
| Broadstone | £501,124 | Up 3% |
| Parkstone | £429,029 | Down 2% |
| Verwood | £411,985 | Up 1% |
| Ashley Cross | £368,440 | Down 13% |
| Canford Heath | £327,815 | Similar |
| Branksome | £309,509 | Down 4% |
| Oakdale | £270,368 | Up 13% |
Bournemouth
Homes sold in Bournemouth over the past year averaged £347,259, 2% lower than the year before and only 1% below the 2023 peak of £351,684. Detached homes averaged £491,167, semi-detached homes £348,489 and flats £227,275.
Bournemouth has been steadier than Poole. The northern and central family areas have edged up, with Redhill up 8%, Queens Park 4%, and Moordown and Kinson both 3%. The coastal areas have eased a little: Westbourne is down 6% and Southbourne 4%.
| Area | Average sold price (last 12 months) | Change on previous year |
|---|---|---|
| Queens Park | £442,119 | Up 4% |
| Southbourne | £430,421 | Down 4% |
| Redhill | £415,506 | Up 8% |
| Moordown | £366,461 | Up 3% |
| Winton | £342,361 | Similar |
| Westbourne | £325,621 | Down 6% |
| Kinson | £320,657 | Up 3% |
| Charminster | £313,833 | Similar |
| Boscombe | £290,925 | Down 2% |
What we’re seeing at Athertons
Across our Poole, Bournemouth and Verwood offices, well-presented homes that are priced realistically from the start are still the ones selling fastest. Buyers have more choice than they did a couple of years ago and they’re comparing carefully, so first impressions online really count.
What it means for you
If you’re selling: Pricing right from day one matters more than ever, especially in the areas where prices have eased. A home that sits on the market and then drops in price usually ends up selling for less than one priced well at the start. Good photography, a video tour and an honest valuation make a real difference.
If you’re buying: Slightly lower prices in parts of Poole mean there’s more room to negotiate than there has been for a while, particularly at the top end. In the areas where prices are still rising, such as Oakdale and Redhill, be ready to move quickly when the right home comes up.
If you’re a landlord: Rents in BCP are still growing, and they’re well ahead of the South West average, so demand from tenants is strong. With the Renters’ Rights Act changes coming in, it’s a good time to check your paperwork and make sure your property is fully compliant.
Want to know what your home is worth in today’s market? Book a free, no-obligation valuation or call your local branch and we’ll give you an honest view.
Sources: Office for National Statistics, Housing prices in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (house prices to July 2026, rents to August 2026). Rightmove sold house prices based on HM Land Registry data for Poole, Bournemouth and individual neighbourhoods, accessed 1 October 2026. Area averages cover homes sold over the previous 12 months and can move a lot where few sales take place.