The UK Property Market
Week 4 of 2026
2026 Property Market. Week 4. Strong volume, sharper decisions.
Four weeks into 2026 and the market is no longer just warming up, it is properly in motion. New instructions remain robust, with 36,598 homes coming to market this week alone, comfortably ahead of the decade long Week 4 norm. Choice for buyers is growing, but so is competition between sellers.
Sales activity continues to hold firm. 26,060 homes sold subject to contract last week, ahead of the ten year average, and year to date sales agreed are now 19.1% higher than the same point in 2024. That matters, because it confirms this is not just supply driven noise. Buyers are still committing, but they are doing so selectively.
Pricing discipline remains the fault line. Over 12% of homes on the market reduced their asking price last month and 13.6% of listings agreed a sale, slightly below the long run norm. The message is consistent. Homes priced correctly are finding buyers, those that are not are being ignored.
Completions data reinforces the same theme. Only just over half of the homes that left estate agents books in January sold and completed. The rest were withdrawn, unsold. Realistic pricing is the key to a successful home move.
The verdict for Week 4 of 2026 is clear. This is a healthy, busy market, but it is not forgiving. Sellers who combine realistic pricing with strong presentation are moving. Those who chase the market are standing still.