The UK property market continues to rely heavily on confidence and positive buyer sentiment as people consider moving in 2026. With a twelve-year high in the number of homes for sale at this time of year, the balance between optimism and realism is becoming increasingly important for sellers.
Malcolm Prescott, Managing Director of Webbers Estate Agents, believes the rise in new listings reflects improving confidence following a period of uncertainty: “Present asking prices are only back to where they were in the summer of 2025, before Budget rumours began surfacing and unsettling the market. That uncertainty dented confidence, so seeing seller confidence return in the New Year is a good sign. The number of new listings indicates that positivity is there, but sellers would do well to listen to the guidance of an estate agent who can demonstrate market evidence before setting their asking price and avoid being over-optimistic.”
Malcolm continues: “There is a twelve-year high number of homes for sale for this time of year, which means buyers have plenty of choice. Around a third of properties that were already on the market have had a price reduction. Sellers therefore need to be realistic and balance the price they want to achieve with the likelihood of finding a buyer in their local market at that price.”
While agents must remain positive, Malcolm highlights the importance of realism in a competitive marketplace:
“Reliable agents are able to maintain positivity while being grounded in market reality. When there is plenty of choice, effective pricing is critical to securing a sale.”
Lindsay Braddick, Residential Sales Director at Webbers, adds that strong marketing and proactive selling remain key to achieving successful outcomes: “As a selling agent, we have an obligation to achieve the very best price from the best buyer, within a timescale to suit our clients. That takes top-quality marketing and presentation, promotion on the leading property websites, targeted social media activity, and, importantly, enthusiasm and energy. The market is not bad, and with long-term mortgage interest rates remaining relatively low, conditions support a steady market as we approach the Spring.”
