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property news
Confidence is back and momentum is building!
Published 28th January By Jennie Fundell
minute read
2026 has started with enthusiasm and positivity.
There is a real sense of eagerness amongst buyers and sellers. Clarity after the Budget, followed by December’s rate cut, has increased market sentiment and confidence.
2025 was a very price sensitive market, which will continue into 2026, as affordability is still an ongoing concern. Whilst 2025 had its ups and downs, any meaningful asking price growth began to fade away as the market became unsettled ahead of the Budget.
Rightmove’s January House Price Index showed that in the South East, the month on month change in asking price showed 1.7% growth. The same data showed that year on year, there was a deficit of 1.6%. On balance, nationally, transaction prices increased 1.7% year-on-year** and according to Rightmove, January asking prices are only back to where they were in the summer of 2025, before the Budget rumours began surfacing.
It is worth considering that stock levels are at a 12 year high*. With buyers having more choice and affordability stretched, sellers need to be realistic when considering the price they are looking to achieve. Having to readjust your marketing price can have a detrimental impact on not only your chances of securing a buyer, but it can also impact your chances of completing on your sale.
Setting a realistic price isn’t the only thing to consider this year; your conveyancing partners and legal guide are very important too. According to the latest research from TwentyEA, during 2025, the average time to exchange sat at 123 days. Please do ask us for any recommendations; a good legal partner can make all the difference in today’s market.
Positively, the same report also highlighted that during 2025, over 1.7 million properties were listed for sale. This is the highest level in the last 10 years and a 2.1% increase compared to 2024. In addition, 2025 exceeded 1.25 million properties with a sale agreed status, which is an uplift of 2.3% on 2024.
In other news, the Renters' Rights Reform will likely bring some new challenges this year for Landlords. We are anticipating additional housing stock due to some Landlords selling their investment. In our experience, this does tend to coincide with a change in circumstances, such as retirement, and not just because of the new legislation.
Whilst the end of 2025 saw subdued demand, mainly due to a lack of confidence, decisions were delayed, not discarded. We anticipate that the 2026 market will see momentum building through the year, with conversations turning into decisions.
If 2026 is your year for change, we would be delighted to help you. Contact your nearest branch.
*Rightmove January House Price Index
**TwentyEA Property Homemover Report End of Year 2025
There is a real sense of eagerness amongst buyers and sellers. Clarity after the Budget, followed by December’s rate cut, has increased market sentiment and confidence.
2025 was a very price sensitive market, which will continue into 2026, as affordability is still an ongoing concern. Whilst 2025 had its ups and downs, any meaningful asking price growth began to fade away as the market became unsettled ahead of the Budget.
Rightmove’s January House Price Index showed that in the South East, the month on month change in asking price showed 1.7% growth. The same data showed that year on year, there was a deficit of 1.6%. On balance, nationally, transaction prices increased 1.7% year-on-year** and according to Rightmove, January asking prices are only back to where they were in the summer of 2025, before the Budget rumours began surfacing.
It is worth considering that stock levels are at a 12 year high*. With buyers having more choice and affordability stretched, sellers need to be realistic when considering the price they are looking to achieve. Having to readjust your marketing price can have a detrimental impact on not only your chances of securing a buyer, but it can also impact your chances of completing on your sale.
Setting a realistic price isn’t the only thing to consider this year; your conveyancing partners and legal guide are very important too. According to the latest research from TwentyEA, during 2025, the average time to exchange sat at 123 days. Please do ask us for any recommendations; a good legal partner can make all the difference in today’s market.
Positively, the same report also highlighted that during 2025, over 1.7 million properties were listed for sale. This is the highest level in the last 10 years and a 2.1% increase compared to 2024. In addition, 2025 exceeded 1.25 million properties with a sale agreed status, which is an uplift of 2.3% on 2024.
In other news, the Renters' Rights Reform will likely bring some new challenges this year for Landlords. We are anticipating additional housing stock due to some Landlords selling their investment. In our experience, this does tend to coincide with a change in circumstances, such as retirement, and not just because of the new legislation.
Whilst the end of 2025 saw subdued demand, mainly due to a lack of confidence, decisions were delayed, not discarded. We anticipate that the 2026 market will see momentum building through the year, with conversations turning into decisions.
If 2026 is your year for change, we would be delighted to help you. Contact your nearest branch.
*Rightmove January House Price Index
**TwentyEA Property Homemover Report End of Year 2025
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