What’s happening in the UK property market?

If you actually look at this regional map, you’ll see that the number of homes sold subject to contract in Q1 2026, compared to Q1 2024, varies significantly across the country.

Here is how each region is performing, ranked from strongest to weakest:

• East Midlands: +10.3%
  • Wales: +10.0%
  • East of England: +7.3%
  • North West: +6.8%
  • West Midlands: +5.7%
  • Scotland: +5.0%
  • Yorkshire & the Humber: +4.8%
  • North East: +4.7%
  • South West: +4.5%
  • South East: +3.2%
  • London: -6.2%
  • Northern Ireland: -7.1%

At first glance, the UK property market appears to be moving in the right direction, with most regions seeing an increase in agreed sales. The strongest growth is concentrated in the East Midlands and Wales, both delivering double digit rises, suggesting renewed confidence and steady buyer demand.

Across the Midlands, the North, and Scotland, the picture is one of stable, sustainable growth. These are not boom conditions, but nor are they weak. Instead, we are seeing a more measured, functional market, where realistic pricing and motivated buyers are key.

London, however, remains the outlier. Overall activity is down 6.2%, yet this headline figure hides a deeper story. Inner London has seen a sharper drop of 9.3%, while Outer London has been far more resilient, down just 1.5%. Affordability pressures and shifting buyer priorities continue to reshape the capital.

Yet even these regional figures only tell part of the story. When you drill down into individual towns and cities, the picture becomes even more nuanced. Within any one location, some areas will be performing strongly, while others are lagging. It becomes a patchwork, almost like a kaleidoscope, of micro markets.

There is no single UK property market. There are thousands of them.

Which raises the question.

What do you think is happening to property in Chelmsford right now, and how does it compare to a few years ago?