Summer is rarely the most exciting time to sell. Buyers go on holiday, viewings thin out, and properties can sit on the market longer than sellers expect. This year was no different. But the shift that typically arrives in September has arrived with more force than usual, and the data behind it is worth understanding before you decide whether to hold off until spring or act now.
What the Numbers Are Telling Us
Zoopla's August 2026 House Price Index recorded buyer searches up 7% year-on-year, the strongest 12-month increase recorded in the past year. Rightmove has also reported a sharp pick-up in buyer enquiries as September got underway. These are not marginal movements. They point to a market where demand has gathered real momentum after a quieter summer.
The reason is partly seasonal and partly practical. Buyers who want to be settled before Christmas know they are running out of time. A typical sale in England and Wales takes between 12 and 16 weeks from offer to completion, which means anyone hoping to move before the festive period needs to find a property and agree a sale by early October at the latest. That deadline concentrates minds. Buyers who were browsing through July and August are now serious.
Stock Is High, So Pricing Has to Be Sharp
There is an important counterweight to all this buyer activity. Available stock on the market is close to a 12-year high. That means buyers have plenty of choice, and properties that are priced even slightly above market value will be passed over quickly in favour of better-value alternatives.
This is not a reason to feel pessimistic. It is simply a reason to price accurately from day one. An overpriced home that sits for six or eight weeks loses its freshness, attracts fewer viewings, and often ends up selling for less than it would have achieved with a realistic asking price at launch. Speak to an agent who knows your street, not just your postcode.
Regional Variation Is Significant
The national picture masks real differences across the country. Southern England, including much of London and the South East, has seen prices soften over the past year. Supply is highest in these areas and affordability pressures remain significant for buyers. Sellers in these regions need to be especially clear-eyed about current market values rather than anchoring to what neighbours achieved 18 months ago.
Scotland, Wales and much of the North of England are telling a different story. Demand has held up more firmly, supply is tighter in many local markets, and prices have continued to edge upward. If you are selling in one of these areas, your position is stronger, though competitive pricing still matters.
The Practical Steps to Take Now
If you are considering a sale this autumn, there are four things worth doing straight away.
- Book a valuation. A current, evidence-based valuation from a local agent is the starting point. Do not rely on automated estimates, which can be significantly out in either direction.
- Get your presentation right. Buyers at this time of year are motivated but also discerning. Tidy gardens, clean windows, fresh neutral paintwork and good lighting in photographs all make a measurable difference to enquiry levels.
- Instruct a solicitor before you accept an offer. One of the main reasons sales collapse or drag on is that sellers wait until they have a buyer before instructing a conveyancer. Getting your legal paperwork prepared early (title documents, any planning permissions, building regulations certificates) keeps chains short and gives buyers confidence.
- Think carefully about your own onward move. If you need to buy at the same time, having a clear plan for where you are going makes you a more attractive seller. Buyers will ask.
Why Now Beats Waiting Until Spring
Spring is often talked about as the best time to sell, and in some years that is true. But spring 2027 is six months away, and the buyers who are active right now have a specific deadline driving them. Motivated buyers move quickly, are less likely to renegotiate, and are more willing to commit to a realistic timeline. That combination is valuable.
The stock levels that give buyers choice today may well be lower by spring if more sellers hold off, which could help prices. But you cannot know that in advance, and the current window of strong demand is real and measurable today.
If you would like a straightforward conversation about what your home is worth and whether now is the right time for you to sell, get in touch with our team. We cover sales and lettings locally and can give you an honest picture of your specific market.
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