The UK property market has begun 2026 with the highest level of homes available for sale in a new year period for at least eight years, according to fresh analysis. The data suggests a strong underlying desire to move among households, but experts warn sellers must be realistic with pricing to attract buyers in a more balanced market.
Market Sees Significant Rebound in Available Stock
Property portal Zoopla found that the average estate agent branch started January 2026 with 32 properties on its books. This marks the highest figure recorded for the start of a year in their research, which stretches back to 2018. The analysis examined listings between December 26 and January 11 for each year.
While this indicates growing supply, the data also reveals that not all these homes are fresh to the market. In fact, a third (33%) of the properties listed in early 2026 had been previously marketed at some point during 2025.
Regional Variations: London and South East Lead Growth
The increase in available homes is not uniform across the country. Zoopla reports that the growth in supply compared to a year ago is most pronounced in London and the South East of England.
The website suggested that regions in southern England were particularly affected by political and economic uncertainty in the run-up to the autumn budget in 2025, which may have delayed sales and contributed to the current stock build-up. This increased choice for buyers is simultaneously helping to keep a lid on price inflation across these southern regions.
Expert Advice for Sellers in a Changing Market
Richard Donnell, Executive Director at Zoopla, commented on the findings. "After a sluggish end to 2025 it is positive to see a strong rebound in buyer demand over the first weeks of the year across all parts of the country," he said. He described the growing numbers of homes for sale as evidence of a strong underlying appetite to move home for many households.
However, he emphasised that market conditions vary widely. "Across much of southern England, there is a much greater choice of homes for sale. Buyers are price-sensitive and have more choice, so achieving the best result depends on setting a competitive asking price and attracting early interest," Donnell advised.
He issued a clear warning to sellers: "Homes priced too high often take longer to sell and at the risk of achieving a lower price." His recommendation is for homeowners to "price carefully" and seek professional agent advice to plan the right sales strategy.
For the rest of the UK, where stock levels are less abundant, the advice remains cautious. "The market is stable rather than booming. Buyers are active but careful, which means pricing correctly from the outset is crucial," Donnell stated. He concluded that well-presented, realistically priced homes continue to sell, while optimistically priced ones linger and often require later price reductions.
