Market Roars Back to Life

29th January 2026

A Renewed Sense of Optimism for Our Property Market

It really feels like our property market is kicking off 2026 with a fresh wave of optimism. After a bit of a slower pace last year, things are definitely starting to feel more lively. You know how Rightmove tracks these things? Well, they're showing that the average asking price for new homes hitting the market in January jumped up by 2.8%. That's about £9,893 more, bringing the average to £368,031. Honestly, we haven't seen such a big jump in January prices in about 25 years!

After things cooled down a little towards the end of 2025, it looks like buyers are really starting to re-engage. Plus, after the festive period, there are more homes popping up for sale the portals. Zoopla even mentioned they've got the most properties listed in over eight years! All these pieces seem to be coming together, suggesting 2026 could be a really significant year for our local market.

Reasons for Encouragement

There are quite a few things making us feel good about the current mood. We're seeing more mortgage options available, which is always a relief, and it feels like things are becoming more affordable for folks looking to buy. That's fantastic news for anyone on that journey! And on the other side, sellers seem to be feeling more confident about putting their homes on the market, which is great for everyone.

Strategic Considerations

Now, it's always smart to keep an eye on how things are changing, right? With more homes available, buyers have more choices, which means sellers might need to be a little more competitive. While asking prices have gone up, it's super important to remember that doesn't always mean the final sale price will be exactly the same. For anyone thinking about selling, this is a really key point to keep in mind.

Here at Home + Castle, we truly believe that giving you realistic advice and the right price from the very start leads to much better results in the long run. It's not just about chasing the highest number possible. Even with all this exciting activity in our area, savvy buyers are still doing their homework carefully.

So, what's our take on January? It's definitely started off on a positive note! But for sellers, we think jumping straight to a big price increase might not be the smartest move just yet. We're seeing a real return of confidence, and the big question now is how long this positive trend will last.

Our Perspective

If you're thinking about selling your home this year, those January stats are definitely encouraging! But from our professional viewpoint, getting that price just right and being competitive from day one of your listing might be more important than ever.