Despite broader economic concerns in 2026, key indicators suggest the UK property market remains relatively stable, with transaction fundamentals showing resilience compared to recent years, according to analysis of multiple industry data sources.
While the year has not unfolded as anticipated, with ongoing economic volatility attributed to international political developments, three core metrics—property availability, conversion rates, and transaction timelines—indicate the market is performing better than recent negative sentiment might suggest.
Property supply remains elevated
Data from TwentyEA and Chris Watkin shows properties available for sale are 14.6% higher than the 10-year average, though slightly below levels recorded at the same point in 2025. These elevated listings are converting to sales, albeit at a slower rate than during the Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday period or the post-pandemic surge, but remain healthy compared to pre-2020 figures.
Zoopla reports supply has grown 6% year-on-year, noting that current buyers are highly motivated, with approximately 25% of transactions involving cash purchases or buyers with pre-agreed mortgages. This contrasts with recent declines in mortgage product availability, which has fallen 10% since March.
Rightmove data indicates the total number of homes for sale is only 1% behind 2025 levels and 13% higher than in 2024. Propertymark’s figures corroborate this trend, showing stock levels remain stable and moderately above 2023 and 2024 levels.
Sales agreed holding steady
February data from Propertymark, recorded before the US-Iran conflict escalation in March, showed sales agreed figures at relatively healthy levels. However, stock per estate agent branch has declined compared to a year ago, suggesting consolidation in the agency sector or increased competition for listings.
Extended transaction timelines persist
The time required to complete property transactions remains a challenge. Rightmove reports that in January 2026, sellers took an average of 81 days to secure a buyer, compared to 59 days in April and May 2025. While this represents a slowdown, the figure remains close to 2025 averages.
More significantly, Propertymark data shows the average time from offer acceptance to exchange has reached 17 weeks. Industry professionals attribute extended timelines to increased regulatory requirements, including enhanced fraud checks, environmental assessments, and new identification verification procedures, rather than inefficiencies within the conveyancing process itself.
The sector awaits a government consultation response on reforms to the buying and selling process, which could potentially reduce transaction times. Estate agents completing transactions faster than industry averages are being advised to highlight this capability during property appraisals, as shorter timelines correlate with reduced fall-through rates.
Market outlook
While challenges persist, particularly around transaction speed and economic uncertainty, the underlying market structure appears more robust than recent negative commentary suggests. The combination of adequate supply, motivated buyers with strong financial positions, and stable conversion rates provides a foundation for continued activity, though at a more measured pace than peak periods in 2024 and 2025.
The government’s anticipated reforms and potential stamp duty policy changes could influence market dynamics in the coming months, particularly if measures are introduced to stimulate transaction volumes or reduce completion timelines.
