At Chestertons, we’re seeing encouraging signs that pent-up buyer demand is returning following several months of uncertainty ahead of last November’s Budget.
In January, enquiries on our sales portal, the first stage in the buying journey, are recovering strongly. While slightly below January 2025, at just a 6% decline, this represents a clear month-on-month improvement of 96% versus December 2025. Viewings, which follow enquiries in the buying process, also saw a significant uplift, rising 101% month-on-month compared with December. These figures show that the market is gradually regaining momentum.
Our findings reflect broader trends highlighted in the UK-wide Residential Market Survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for December. The survey showed a marked improvement in estate agents’ expectations for sales volumes throughout 2026, as speculation over higher property taxes proved largely unfounded. More agents now expect sales to rise rather than fall, the most positive balance since October 2024, reversing negative readings during the August to November 2025 period.
Several economic factors are supporting renewed buyer activity, including:
Real wage growth
Low and stable unemployment
The Bank of England maintaining interest rates at 3.75%
Improving mortgage affordability
These conditions are giving households the confidence to transact, underpinning renewed buyer activity and creating opportunities for sellers to bring their properties to market.
Gary Howorth, our Regional Sales Director, comments:
“Our latest data shows that buyer interest is steadily returning after a period of uncertainty. Enquiries and viewings are picking up, creating a healthy and competitive market, and a positive environment for both buyers and sellers. With these trends continuing into spring, now is an excellent time for sellers to consider listing their properties.”