The Great British Property Market is set to be a mixed bag in 2026. This week, I’ve been looking at new data that shows how in London, 17 per cent of properties have been stuck on the market for over a year.
The South East is not far behind at 15 per cent. The South West and North West each see 13 per cent of homes lingering unsold.
Contrast that with the North East, where only 4 per cent of properties are slow to shift, and you can see the country is, as so often the case, disagreeing with itself.
So, what’s going on? It almost always comes down to price. If a property is cheap enough, it will sell. That’s the hard truth.
'If a property is cheap enough, it will sell'
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But there are ways to help your home stand out before you hit the fire-sale button.
Here’s my guide to what to do if you are struggling to sell your home:
• Review the price a bit. If you’re not getting viewings, your price is too high. Reducing 2 per cent or more will get a refresh on portals, meaning buyers will receive a ‘new price alert’. That can help a lot.
• Refresh your photos. New images can make a stale listing look fresh. Consider professional photography.
• Change your agent. Sometimes a new approach – or a new audience – is all you need.
• Tidy up. Kerb appeal matters. Clear the garden, paint the front door, and declutter inside. Get a for sale board up.
• Fix obvious defects. Buyers spot the little things. Leaky taps, cracked tiles, peeling paint – sort them.
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'The more people through the door, the better'
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• Be flexible. Accommodate viewings at awkward times. The more people through the door, the better. Move to suit a buyer, people buy convenience.
• Re-market. Withdraw the listing for a couple of weeks, then relaunch. It resets buyer interest. The property market may be patchy, but it's not a reason for any property to sit on the market forever.
There’s a buyer out there, and with the right marketing and the right price, you’ll find them.
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