The UK housing market is entering the spring 2026 season with a noticeably higher level of supply compared to a year earlier. According to Zoopla, February recorded the highest number of new property listings in the past decade, while the total number of homes on the market was already 6% higher year-on-year. For buyers, this means more choice. For sellers, it creates a more competitive environment.

📊 Zoopla also reports that the number of agreed sales increased sharply in February, although it remained 3% below the very strong start of 2025. Even with this adjustment, the current level of sales ranks as the fourth strongest February in the past ten years. In other words, supply is growing faster than the market is able to absorb it.

If in previous years buyers often faced a shortage of available properties and intense competition, the situation is now becoming more favourable for those actively searching. January data from Zoopla supports this shift: the average estate agency entered 2026 with 32 properties for sale, the highest level in eight years, while in London the available stock was 16% higher than a year earlier.

🌍 A higher level of supply does not translate into identical conditions across all regions. However, in southern England and especially in London, upward pressure on prices already appears weaker than in previous periods. According to a March analyst survey cited by Reuters, average house price growth in the UK is now expected to reach around 2.5% in 2026, while in London it may be as low as 1%. This revision suggests that with greater choice, price growth is becoming less aggressive.

📈 In practice, several factors are shaping the market at the same time. On one hand, supply is increasing. On the other, mortgage rates remain a key constraint on demand. Rightmove’s March index reported an average two-year fixed mortgage rate of 4.51%, while Reuters notes that analysts expect slower price growth due to the likelihood of persistently tight borrowing conditions. As a result, the UK market currently appears not overheated, but more balanced than a year ago.

📌 What is emerging now is something many buyers have lacked for years: room for choice and negotiation. This is particularly relevant in segments where high-quality properties previously sold quickly, leaving little time for decision-making.

In such conditions, those who enter the market during periods of expanding supply often gain an advantage. This typically translates into:

— a wider selection of properties to compare
— a lower risk of overpaying due to competition
— stronger negotiating power on price and deal terms

🔎 You can explore current property listings in the UK on our website to better understand how the market looks in practice under today’s supply conditions.