Why are houses not selling in the UK?

2Why are houses not selling at the moment? Right now, higher interest rates, economic uncertainty, and cautious buyers mean properties are sitting on the market longer even homes that would usually sell fast.

Is the UK property market in trouble?

Property prices

Recent figures from Nationwide found that UK house prices have fallen by 1.1% over a recent 12-month period. Yet this trend seems to be correcting in recent months. Zoopla says it expects prices to end the year 2.5% higher than 2023.

Why are there so few homes for sale in the UK?

Record low interest rates have boosted house prices and cut returns on other assets. That in turn has encouraged homemovers to either rent out their old home, or just keep it empty. Alongside a greater share of first-time buyers and buy-to-let investors in transactions, that has reduced the number of homes for sale.

What is the hardest month to sell a house?

Since demand outweighs supply, housing prices are higher, and homes sell faster. Meanwhile, the worst months to sell a house are November through March or during fall to winter, when potential buyers are preoccupied with holiday plans. Sellers should expect lower sales prices and higher DOM during these months.

Why am I getting no viewings?

Dropping the price: overvaluing a property is the most common culprit for a lack of enquiries and viewings. Buyers are well-educated when it comes to researching an area's current sale prices and looking at historical sold data, so they will quickly see a home with an overinflated asking price.

Homes Are Not SELLING in 2025…Here’s Why

Why is no one coming to see my house?

Your Asking Price Is Too High

Many buyers search for homes online and pricing is a significant factor – often being the first thing they notice. Getting the correct marketing and sale prices and understanding what buyers are willing to pay is therefore key to generating more interest in your property.

Why are houses not selling in 2025?

Settings. Stamp duty changes: it's going to get more expensive to purchase a property from 1st April 2025 due to stamp duty changes. Buyers who have budgeted using the old rates may defer a property purchase to save up the shortfall or abandon moving plans altogether.

Is it normal for a house to take a year to sell?

In normal circumstances, the average time to sell a home, from accepting an offer to exchange of contracts, is 65 days – or just over two months. The time taken to sell a house after an offer is accepted will be impacted by how long it takes to complete surveys and all the legal aspects of the house sale process.

What time of year do houses sell the least?

Fall and winter are the worst seasons to sell

Just like in the warmer months, the weather plays a factor in the winter months, too. As the days get dark earlier and temperatures drop, people tend to stay closer to home. This means less foot traffic for sellers.

When should you put your house on the market?

February and March are the best months to put your house on the market, according to new research by Rightmove.

Why are so many British houses empty?

In many cases the reason properties are left empty is financial. This could be unavoidable, like having a lack of funds for renovation work, or intentional such as when buying property as an investment. So-called 'buy to leave' investment properties make up a small but significant number of vacant homes.

Where not to buy a house in the UK?

The West Midlands tops the list with its steep house prices and poor affordability for first-time buyers. The region has seen significant price increases, making homeownership a distant dream for many​. South London remains one of the least affordable areas due to skyrocketing property prices and high rents.

Where are houses selling fastest in the UK?

Where are the fastest selling homes in England and Wales? The fastest selling homes in the first three months of 2025 are in Manchester and the borough of Waltham Forest in north east London, Zoopla found. Homes in these areas sell in just 19 days, on average.

Why are houses not selling right now in the UK?

Right now, higher interest rates, economic uncertainty, and cautious buyers mean properties are sitting on the market longer even homes that would usually sell fast.

Should I buy a house now or wait until 2025 in the UK?

Yes, it's a good time to buy a house if you can afford it and you buy a home you plan to live in for several years. House prices are expected to gently trend higher in 2025, so if you buy now it may be cheaper than if you wait.

When did the UK property market crash?

The UK property market crash of 2008 had severe consequences for homeowners, investors, and the broader economy. Many people found themselves in negative equity, meaning their homes were worth less than the mortgages they had taken out.

Are UK houses overpriced?

'Housing has been in a bubble'

In 2009, the average property in England cost 6.4 times the average salary; by the end of the 2022-23 financial year, it cost 8.6 times more, according to the ONS' latest data.

Is it worth buying a second home in 2025?

From April 2025, the tax rules for holiday homes are changing to bring them in line with other buy-to-let properties. This will mean some owners end up with a bigger tax bill. The tax changes include: Tax relief on mortgage interest will be reduced to a 20% tax credit.

Is it a buyers or sellers market in the UK?

“Buyers have the upper hand in this high-supply market, so a tempting price is vital to agree a sale. The strategy is working, with the number of sales agreed in the full month of July being the best at this time of year since 2020,” said Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove.

How to see if your house has a ghost?

How many houses do most buyers look at?

On average, most homebuyers tour 8 to 10 homes before making an offer. But the truth is, there's no magic number. Some people fall in love with the first home they see, while others need a few weeks of touring open houses.

Why is my house no selling?

Your house may not be selling because buyers are having difficulty seeing themselves living in your home. Removing unnecessary clutter can make it look bigger and help a buyer imagine their own things in the space. Decluttering isn't just about hiding away nic-nacs and clearing surfaces – though that is important.

Will UK house prices fall in the next 5 years?

Key takeaways. We think that UK mainstream house prices will rise by 1.0% this year and by 24.5% over the next five years.

What is the most popular month to put a house on market?

Putting your home up for sale can feel putting a brand new life chapter in motion. But the big question – when to do it? Our latest research shows that February and March are the best months to list your home, with the highest number of homes listed in these months making it to completion.