Lessons for the Autumn Market

Property sales take time to progress from an agreed deal through to completion. There is inevitably a lag in the data reported by estate agents which means the latest available Propertymark figures take us back to June.

That might feel a little behind the curve. But as July and August are traditionally quieter months for the property market. Also, this summer has been particularly subdued, with the warm weather and the World Cup both competing for people’s attention.

As a result, June’s figures provide a useful snapshot of the market as we head towards the autumn market.

So, what do the numbers tell us about the state of the market? And what might they mean for the months ahead?

House sales

The story this year has been one of high supply – more houses for sale than the number of buyers.

This has kept a lid on price rises and meant frustrated sellers waiting longer than usual to receive an offer.

So it was in June, when the typical Propertymark branch took another 9.5 homes on to its books, it pushed the average number of homes for sale, per branch, up to no fewer than 42 properties.

Most sellers choose one agent, so multiply that 42 figure by the number of agents’ offices on many High Streets, and you can see the scale of choice open to buyers.

The average number of viewings per available property in June 2026 remained broadly steady at 2.

And the number of market appraisals – the first step before an owner commits to sell – was also up at 22 per branch.

Meanwhile the actual number of sales per branch was broadly stable at 8. That’s great news for those vendors, less good for the many other owners still waiting for the right buyer.

The most important figure of all

Let’s see what I call ‘the vital statistic’ – asking price. And if you’ve been reading my market reports this year, you’ll know what I’m going to say!

The current market has huge choice for buyers, fairly high interest rates and on- going economic uncertainty at home and abroad.

So there’s only one real way to set an asking price – do so at a level which your agent and yourself believe will generate interest and won’t deter buyers when they see it listed.

The June figures bear out my point. Only 9% of agents report selling a property above asking price but a whopping 84% report sales below.

So price properly to begin with, and a sale will be achieved quicker.

That’s the key lesson I think we can learn from this summer’s market as we ready ourselves for autumn.

Renting

The big change for tenants and landlords this year – the introduction of the Renters Rights Act – happened in May so any effect, good or bad, will not have registered in June.

But otherwise, the story is a familiar one.

During June a typical agent took on a fraction over three new rental properties to let, while at the same time registering over eight new tenants seeking homes.

When long-standing applicants are taken into account, there are roughly nine potential renters chasing every available rental property.

One rather more reassuring figure I can add to the mix comes from the government, which says that in June average UK rents were 3.3% higher than a year earlier.

That’s bad enough for renters but thankfully it’s a far lower annual rise than we have become used to at times.

You’ve heard this before but it merits repeat: the over-riding problem for the rental sector remains a shortage of available homes.

Tips for buyers

For buyers, a quieter market can mean having a little more time and breathing space to make the right decision. Use that to your advantage rather than feeling pressured into committing before you’re ready.

1. Take advantage of a second viewing. Once the initial excitement has worn off, go back and look at the property with a more critical eye. Check the things you may have overlooked first time around and, if possible, visit at a different time of day.
2. Remember that you may have room to negotiate. If demand is softer and a property has been on the market for a while, buyers find themselves in a stronger negotiating position. Do your homework on the local market and comparable properties before deciding what you’re prepared to offer.
3. Don’t ignore your instincts. If something about the property doesn’t feel quite right, investigate it. Ask questions, request further information and make sure you understand any potential issue before committing financially.
4. Do your due diligence. A Move iQ property report helps you build a fuller picture before you make an offer It brings together essential information about the property and its surrounding area.

Time can be a buyer’s friend in a less frantic market. Use it to look twice, ask questions, negotiate where appropriate and make sure the property stacks up before you commit.

Autumn approaches

The trends coming from the figures have been endorsed by other data, notably the recent Rightmove report which suggests prices have very slightly dipped – this is mostly because of the large supply of homes on sale.

We can look forward to a busier market from September onwards, with many agents and property portals planning more-than-usual advertising to encourage buying and selling.

If you’re making a decision about now, it might be worth taking the plunge.

There’s a murmur of speculation about the October Budget. The new Prime Minister has ruled out fundamental changes to property taxation so this reduces the case for ‘waiting and seeing’.

While there’s little chance of a significant improvement in interest rates, the threat of increases seems to have receded – for now.

Let’s see if my predictions, and those of others, prove accurate next month.

Last Updated: August 19th, 2026