More Homes on the Market – But What Does It Mean for Us?

25th February 2026

More Homes on the Market – But What Does It Mean for Us?

February brought some really interesting news for anyone thinking about buying a home – we actually saw more properties popping up! Zoopla mentioned that there were 6% more homes listed for sale compared to last year. It sounds like it was shaping up to be the busiest February for new listings in about ten years.

The Upside for Buyers

At first glance, this is fantastic news, right? More homes mean more options for us to explore. When there's more choice, we can take our time, really compare places, and maybe even get a better deal. Plus, getting a mortgage seems to be getting a little easier. Moneyfacts shared that first-time buyers had access to the most 95% loan-to-value mortgage deals in at least 18 years – that's a whopping 537 different options!

The Realities We Face

But, as we all know, it’s not quite that simple. Having more mortgage products available doesn't magically make buying a home easy. Those big deposits are still a major hurdle, and the monthly mortgage payments are still pretty significant. For many of our younger neighbours, saving up that initial deposit after years of paying high rents can feel almost impossible.

Zoopla did find something interesting though: about 40% of homes in the UK are actually cheaper to buy than to rent. This shows that sometimes, the monthly cost of owning can surprisingly stack up well against renting. However, that initial deposit is still the big mountain many of us just can't seem to climb.

What This Means for Sellers

For those thinking of selling, this increased supply in February is also something to consider. When buyers have more choice, how we present our homes, the price we set, and how we market them become even more crucial. A home that's priced realistically and looks its best can really shine. But if a place is overpriced, it might just sit there while buyers move on to the next exciting opportunity.

Our Perspective

So, the market might be opening up a bit more, but we all still need to do our homework. For buyers, that means being prepared and knowing what's out there. And for sellers, it’s important to remember that there’s more competition now. Here at Home + Castle, we see our role as more than just putting a listing online. We're here to help neighbours like us truly understand the market we're navigating, whether we're buying or selling. We want to make sure you have the local insights you need!