As a longstanding Surrey and Hampshire estate agency, we’ve always believed that timing is key when it comes to selling a property. And right now, the market is showing some very encouraging signs for homeowners looking to move.
A recent national news headline, which said UK property market ‘on the up’ amid new year bounce in asking prices*, particularly caught our attention. The article outlined how the average price of a home coming onto the market has risen by almost £10,000!
Not only is this the largest monthly jump in a decade, but it’s also the biggest January jump in 25 years.
What it means for sellers
From our perspective, it means that confidence is back – and the key that unlocked it was the November Budget.
There was a large amount of trepidation in the lead up to the Chancellor’s announcement (trepidation that began much earlier in the year). However, in reality, the fallout wasn’t too dramatic.
Yes, there was a degree of frustration from a large demographic who own property worth over £2m as a result of the much-touted Mansion Tax, but ultimately, the announcement released the pressure on the property market and provided a much-needed reset.
This was compounded by a falling base rate in December and growing impatience amongst buyers and sellers tired of putting off a move due to perceived instability.
Demand is growing
The 2.8 per cent rise in prices (roughly £9,893) shows that buyers are active, property demand is strong and people are ready to take the next step, whether that’s upsizing, downsizing or simply changing location.
Our team of Hampshire and Surrey estate agents believe that this is a clear signal that the 2026 property market will be much more fluid than it was in 2025. As a result, we expect that the coming weeks will be exceptionally busy.
High buyer demand, combined with rising prices, often creates competitive conditions, meaning that well-presented and correctly-priced properties could achieve multiple viewings – and potentially multiple offers – in a very short timeframe.
So, if you’re considering moving, our recommendation would be to get the ball rolling sooner rather than later.
Get in touch
If you’ve been considering putting your home on the market, then early market indicators would suggest that now’s the time to act.
Even if you’re not moving immediately, staying informed about current property values and local market trends is crucial, and our team is always on hand to help.
Simply call your nearest Warren Powell-Richards office and one of our Surrey and Hampshire property experts will be able to guide your through the market and advise you on what practical steps you can take to prepare your property for sale.
One thing you can do in advance is to take advantage of our instant valuation tool, which you can access here. Either way, there is already market momentum so if you are selling your property soon, then why not take advantage of it.
Thinking about selling your property in 2026? Contact your local branch of Warren Powell-Richards to discover how we can help. Alternatively, find your nearest Warren Powell-Richards office here.
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