The Property Market Is Moving Faster Than the Headlines Suggest

If you only skim the news, you would think the UK property market is treading water. The numbers this week tell a very different story.

Week 2 of 2026 has started with intent. 32,808 new homes came to market, comfortably above the long-term weekly average of around 30,700. More choice for buyers, yes, but also a clear signal that sellers are confident enough to list early in the year.

Sales activity is where things really get interesting. 21,191 homes were marked sold subject to contract last week. That is well ahead of the ten-year Week 2 average of 19,600. In fact, year to date sales is running 31% higher than the same point in 2024. This is a strong start by any historical measure.

Pricing remains grounded rather than frothy. The average UK sale agreed price sits at £346,000, while the average price per square foot on agreed sales is £353, bang in line with the long-term trend. This is not a market driven by blind optimism. It is one led by realism.

That realism shows up in behaviour. December is a quiet month for the property market, even so though, 7.6% of homes reduced their asking price in the last month, and 9.9% of homes on the market secured a sale agreed. Both figures point to sensible pricing and buyers who are prepared to act when value aligns.

Rents continue to edge up, with the average at £1,792 per calendar month, reflecting ongoing pressure in the lettings sector. Meanwhile, the Bank of England base rate sits at 3.75%, offering a more stable backdrop than many feared a year ago.

With 613,882 homes currently for sale and an average of 77 days from listing to sale agreed, this is a market that is busy, balanced, and quietly confident. Ignore the noise. Watch the data.