House prices remain 'desperately un-affordable'

Despite falling Guernsey house prices, islanders and experts say it is still difficult to get on the property ladder.

The latest government figures showed the average property sale price dropped in July, August and September to £592,584 - down 2.8% compared to the same period in 2024.

It also reported the average rental price was £2,112 a month.

Housing expert Henry Pryor said housing for people who are looking to buy remained at "eye-watering levels", something which was echoed by renter Aaron Coutu who said he thought he would never be able to buy a house in Guernsey.

Mr Coutu said: "Rent is very expensive. It's dipped a little bit now but it's very high for such a small island it's unbelievable how the rent can be so high.

"It's a big crisis, there's a lot of homeless people I know that don't have anywhere, well they're stuck in little cramped rooms and they're paying thousands of pounds."

Housing expert Henry Pryor said: "House prices have dipped slightly when comparing Q3 of 2025 to the same time in the previous year. But I'm afraid for the vast majority of people they are still desperately unaffordable.

"However, the good news is if you already own a home the value of your property is being maintained, is relatively stable and the market is still good."

Tori Cattlety, who lives at home with her parents, said it was too expensive to look at renting on her own.

"I'm really hoping that I can either buy or rent here, but I think realistically, I'd have to look somewhere else just to be able to afford it."

Rachel Dallin said: "I'm renting with a family friend which definitely makes it easier. Hearing that property prices have gone down recently is promising because you kind of hope there's a bit of a lag effect there."

Director of Swoffers Andre Austin said typically Guernsey had a relatively stable market.

He said: "I think you need to put things into perspective in that, the lifecycle of a market, the headline will be of course that prices have dropped, but they haven't fallen off a cliff. And that's very normal."

Ross Purser, who rents accommodation, said: "You're trying to pay for your rent, which is through the roof and then just surviving as well - it's not cheap.

"We sort of found somewhere through a friend. I've been here about five months now, on and off. The plan is to come here eventually full-time if we can afford it."

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