UK Premium Property Market Update – Wrapping Up 2025
As we look back on 2025, the UK premium property market has shown a blend of resilience and caution. For buyers and sellers alike, understanding how the year unfolded offers useful insight as we head into 2026 and consider what’s ahead.
A year of resilience despite uncertainty
Last year was marked by a considerable amount of market uncertainty, particularly around speculation over tax reforms, including potential changes to stamp duty and the introduction of a new surcharge on very high-value homes. That uncertainty naturally led some buyers and sellers to pause their plans. However, the market did not grind to a halt. New listings increased for the fifth consecutive year, and sales agreed reached the highest level since 2022, evidence of genuine, sustained interest in premium property.
While activity was stronger in the first three quarters than in the final months, it’s notable that the market did not experience a sharp drop as many had expected. Instead, the second half of the year showed that buyers and sellers continued to engage, even amid broader economic pressures.
Buyer confidence: A clearer picture
A significant portion of the market’s slower finish to 2025 was down to what we might call “Budget hesitation.” According to sentiment data collected over the autumn, around half of those intending to move paused their plans in anticipation of official Budget announcements. Once clarity emerged, many of those buyers resumed their activity.
Furthermore, property portals reported a very strong “Boxing Day bounce”, with website visits and enquiries spiking significantly between Christmas and New Year. Activity in early January, traditionally one of the most active periods of the year, was also exceptionally high, suggesting confidence returning once uncertainty had passed.
What this means for sellers
If you are considering selling, there are several important take-aways:
- Confidence is returning: Many buyers who delayed their search in late 2025 came back to the market in early 2026, often with clear intentions.
- Listings are still valuable: Higher stock levels earlier in the year mean more choice for buyers, but well-presented properties in strong locations are still attracting attention.
- Seasonality plays a role: Historically, January through early spring is one of the most productive windows for selling, with quicker sale times on average and a high success rate for transactions.
With the main period of Budget speculation behind us, now can be an excellent time to revisit the decision to sell, particularly if you withdrew your property last year due to uncertainty.
What this means for buyers
For prospective buyers in the premium market:
- More choice remains available: Despite slower sentiment late in 2025, overall stock levels stayed healthy, offering buyers a broader range of properties to consider.
- Clarity fosters action: Once government policy became clearer, buyer activity picked up strongly, particularly in early 2026.
- Quality still matters: As always, well-located and thoughtfully presented homes attract the most interest, and serious buyers are ready to move when they find the right property.
Looking ahead
In summary, 2025 was a year of measured resilience for the premium property market. While uncertainty and speculation affected timing, both buyers and sellers remained engaged. With clearer policy in place and renewed activity at the start of 2026, the market appears well positioned for a more confident year ahead.
Whether you are thinking of selling or buying, now is a great time to assess your position with up-to-date insight and tailored advice.
Credit: Simon Gates - Opening The Gates
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