With May bringing record temperatures, it begs the question—is the property market hotting up as well? Traditionally, spring is the season when the housing market comes to life, and this year is showing several encouraging signs of increased confidence and positive sentiment among both buyers and sellers.
At the recent Housebuilders Federation conference, Richard O’Donnell of Zoopla PG presented key findings that point to growing intent among all buyer types—first-time buyers, families, renters, and downsizers—to make a move in 2025. The appetite to move is increasing, which is welcome news for the market.
However, this optimism is tempered by a persistent supply and demand imbalance. This is especially evident in the South West, where supply has risen by 21% but demand lags behind at just 8%. This competitive landscape means sellers and developers alike must ask themselves: “What makes our home stand out?”
Malcolm Prescott, Managing Director of award-winning estate agents Webbers, noted, “With many buyers aiming to complete before the April Stamp Duty changes, March was exceptionally busy for us—as it was for many agents and developers. We saw strong new sales and a viewing-to-sale ratio of just 10:1.”
New builds continue to play a vital role in the market, as energy efficiency and lower running costs become top priorities for buyers. Research by Zoopla PG shows that buyers are willing to look as far as 10 miles outside their initial search area to secure a new home that meets these criteria. Prescott adds, “At Webbers, we offer a wide selection of new homes across the region, and it's clear that demand for properties with green credentials and ‘easy living’ features is growing rapidly.”
In terms of pricing, the South West market remains broadly static for now. However, many analysts—including those at Webbers—predict a 3–5% increase by year-end. This is expected to be driven by anticipated interest rate cuts and a continued surge in lifestyle-driven relocations.
Webbers Marketing Manager Karlie Baker-Kidwell adds, “We’ve traditionally seen strong interest from buyers relocating from the South East in search of the West Country lifestyle. This year, our upcoming property exhibition—featuring homes and developments from across the region—will be a great indicator of how the market is responding.”