The role of the market in 2025

The last 12 months have given many homeowners pause about when to buy and when to sell as a result of political changes and economic challenges.

The year to date has been characterised by uncertainty, not least from Donald Trump’s trade tariffs, and increases in minimum wage and National Insurance. A small boost in confidence came from the reduction of the UK Bank Base Rate from 4.5% to 4.25% in May, but there have also been anxieties about factors, ranging from weak GDP to speculation about tax hikes in the impending autumn budget - notably those affecting property.

Earlier this year, Matthew Thompson, Head of Sales at Chestertons, said: “Some homeowners decided to postpone the sale of their property until summer 2025 in the hope of increased buyer confidence and a more stable economy. The introduction of sub-4% mortgages did, in fact, encourage more house hunters to enter the market, which motivated sellers to go ahead and list their home. May was therefore particularly busy with a notable spike in buyer and seller activity after the Easter holidays.”

True to experienced prediction, the market has been more fragile than some years, with more activity picking up in Q3. However, what’s also true, is because property is so intertwined with our day-to-day lives, movement continues regardless of the socioeconomic forecasts - people have personal reasons to buy and sell houses, and there are always opportunities for those who know where to find them. A good agent is one who can facilitate the best outcomes by relying on more than market trends, and that’s what we do at Chestertons.

The importance of expertise

“Archie went above and beyond to keep a complicated sale on track. He spent time with myself and the buyers providing advice, and where needed, direction, and made the difference when needed - but always in a friendly and professional way.” - Seller

Any company is the sum of its parts, and there's no more important part than the people. Chestertons is not only built on the skill of its people - we also proactively nurture talent as well. With ongoing training and the combined force of a holistic market view, as well as specific local expertise, we understand properties and markets down to individual London streets.  Those insights allow us to price appropriately, market effectively, and bring sales to completion with minimal disruption.

It's not just the market we take the time to understand either, but the individuals we're working with - what they're looking for in a property, and what goals are most important to them from their transaction. In doing so, we are able to match people and places to result in the best outcomes for all parties.

Perhaps that's why surveys between 2021 and 2025 show our Customer Effort Score (CES) as 81, eight out of 10 vendors said they would recommend Chestertons to a friend, and our agents achieved an average score of nine out of 10 on overall performance.

The power of authority

"From our first interaction to the final stages of the sale, Adam (South Kensington Office) demonstrated professionalism, dedication and a genuine commitment to achieving the best outcome. Not only was his communication prompt and clear, he consistently went above and beyond to ensure a smooth and successful process." - Seller

Having an established name in the market offers a natural advantage in many ways, but it's also important for any estate agency with a strong heritage to remember they're only as good as their next sale. It's all too easy for established agencies to think that if they have been successful by doing things one way for a long time, then they can rely on that approach forever. At Chestertons we’re proud of our past, but never take success for granted.

Heritage allows for an established footprint in the market that provides reach and credibility, but it's essential that's combined with a dynamic, forward thinking outlook that's committed to continuous learning. No two properties or situations are the same, and while economic headwinds can create challenges, they are also often the architects of the greatest opportunities. We see it as our role to spot those opportunities and make sure our clients are the beneficiaries of them.

That outlook spans both market forecasts and individual transactions. For example, it's both staying on top of a sale until it's completed and ensuring anything that could cause a delay or a problem is addressed early on, but it's also about looking ahead and being pragmatic about the best times to buy, sell, stick, rent, or enter the letting market. With this outlook firmly embedded in our ethos, we are proud to note that when asked how easy it was to get help and advice from one of our staff members, property buyers consistently delivered a score of three out of four, while our Net Promoter Score stands at 55. 

Trust in proactive professionalism

“Niall was great to work with but Flora was a living legend. My deal would never have completed without her diligence  and perseverance. There truly are not enough compliments I can pay to this brilliant employee of yours. She is smart, understanding and truly cares about what she does." - Seller

There's a common phrase - 'trust the process' - but when your financial future is dependent on it, most of us want something more tangible than that to count on. It is true that there are processes in place around property sales which provide a reliable framework of support, but they alone do not deliver successful outcomes. Property is a sector in which success belongs to those who actively make things happen. Bringing the different pieces together to result in a completed sale or purchase requires more than throwing the balls in the air and seeing where they land - it requires proactive professionalism.

For us, proactive professionalism is the result of expertise, knowledge, and an entrepreneurial outlook. That means team members who get up in the morning not simply to do a job, but who are awake to opportunities as well as potential pitfalls in the sales they're responsible for, and who are energetically invested in achieving desirable goals for their clients. It's no mere set of corporate values however - it's evident in the numbers, with pipeline deals up 7.1% year-on-year in 2025, despite the gloomy forecasts. Exchanges are also up, and following a period in which sellers held off because of anxieties in the market, our stock is now up 2.1% year-on-year. Crucially, Customer Satisfaction Surveys from 2021 to 2025 show clients feel supported by our approach, with 91% saying they would use Chestertons again to buy, sell, rent or let a property.

A proactive approach to property sales

The takeaway from all of this is that being aware of market changes is important, but it’s not the deciding factor in successful property transactions. As poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox put it in The Winds of Fate:

One ship drives east and another drives west

With the selfsame winds that blow.

Tis the set of the sails

And not the gales

Which tells us the way to go.

Chestertons is the premier London lettings and estate agency with more than 200 years’ experience. Our team of experts offer a range of services as well as a modern, dynamic, forward-thinking approach that places us consistently at the forefront of the industry, recognising and reacting to changes in the market and embracing the advantages that technological advances can bring. If you would like to find out more about selling your property with Chestertons, contact your nearest branch at any time.

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