The Intermediary – December 2025 - Flipbook - Page 82
Focus on ...
The North Pole
he North Pole
Jessica O’Connor braves
es the blizzards
housing market may
traditionally be colder
of the North Pole property market to
than a vacant igloo in
midwinter, but 2025 has
uncover why it’s finally beginning
begun to show the first
faint flickers of festive warmth.
to thaw
With Silver Bell rates edging
downward, deposit stockings slowly
however, transactions are slightly
filling up again, and reindeer
mulled wine. There’s a definite jingle
less ice-olated than last year,
returning to full-time sleigh
in people’s steps.”
coming in at 47 sales so far.
shis, there’s a gentle
However, brokers are keen not to let
but unmistakable
festive excitement override reality.
Easing the freeze
glow guiding the
Dasher the reindeer, of Mad Dash
In what many brokers
region through the
4 Homes, adds: “Lower rates are a
are calling the first
economic blizzard.
welcome stocking filler, but beer
meaningful sign of a
Yet even as optimism
rates don’t magic up deposits.
market thaw, the Bank
twinkles across the
“I keep telling elves: save like you’re
of Snowland – still run
tundra, the market
trying to buy Santa a gi he actually
by penguins who take
hasn’t entirely escaped
wants this year. That’s the discipline
‘waddling through rate
the naughty list. Political
we need if the market’s going to
BY JESSICA O’ CONNOR
data’ more literally
missteps, industry
keep thawing.”
than most – announced
scandals, and perennial
Political meltdowns
a 0.25% cut to the Silver Bell Rate,
supply shortages continue to nip at
2025 also brought the North Pole’s own
reducing it from 5.75% to 5.5%.
the heels of would-be buyers and
political drama – when Angela RaynThe decision follows months of
brokers alike.
Deer, the region’s Housing Mincecooling inflation in key North Pole
Still, as 2025 unfolds, it seems the
ister, resigned aer it emerged that she
categories, including Christmas
North Pole may be stepping into a
might have mis-declared ownership
pudding ingredients, candy-cane
slightly toastier chapter of its long,
of a gingerbread coage and claimed
composites, and sleigh fuel.
snow-dusted property saga.
elf council support for a stable she
At a recent press conference, in a fit
Ho-ho-house prices
apparently didn’t live in.
of animated flipper waving, Governor
The average home in the region
What began as a small flurry
Andrew Burrrrrley, said: “Our
now costs around 1,170 silver bells
quickly escalated into a full blizzard
priority remains keeping elves skating
(£115,000) – up a gentle 4.5% from last
of headlines.
forward, not sliding backwards into
year as the market aempts a slow
Local journalists uncovered that
debt snowdris.”
defrosting.
Rayn-Deer had listed the gingerbread
Burrrrrley also noted that wage
Detached log cabins fetch
coage as her main home, despite
growth among workshop elves
approximately 2,350 bells (£230k),
neighbours insisting they had
has improved following last year’s
while semi-detached cabins are priced
“never once seen her hanging
industrial action – though he warned
at 1,100 bells (£108k) — a rise that has
stockings there.”
that the Bank “won’t hesitate to steady
le some elves muering about the
The scandal – dubbed ‘Stable-Gate’
the sleigh” if inflation flares up again.
growing cost of yule-timber.
– dominated the front pages of The
Local brokers say they’ve felt
Meanwhile, igloos cost the average
Arctic Sun and The Daily Snow for
an almost immediate shi in
elf around 750 bells (£73k), and
weeks. Despite mounting pressure,
borrower sentiment.
workshop-flats continue to sell for a
Rayn-Deer maintained it was simply a
Mrs Claus, of North Pole Ho-Hogoing rate of 490 bells (£48k).
case of festive confusion.
Homes, told The Intermediary: “It’s the
Unfortunately, sales volumes
In a statement, she said: “It was
first time in years elves are walking
remain low across the region;
frosty paperwork. I mis-remembered
in asking about mortgages instead of
T
80
The Intermediary | December 2025
