There is often a gap between how the market is described and how it actually behaves, and the past fortnight has been a good example. With auctions pausing over the King's Birthday long weekend and some individuals exercising caution following the recent budget announcements, it would be easy to assume momentum has slowed. On the ground, the picture has been very different.
At our open inspections, buyer numbers have remained consistent, with genuine interest at every price point and right across each of the areas we serve. What has been most telling is not the volume alone, but the contrast between that demand and the property currently available. Stock is tight, and that imbalance is shaping much of what we are seeing.
It also helps explain the rise in off-market activity. With committed buyers ready and willing, and fewer homes openly listed, a growing number of sales are now being arranged privately. In the past 10 days alone, we have completed just over 50 transactions, a figure that speaks to the market's underlying health rather than the more cautious tone suggested by some commentary.
For owners considering a move, circumstances like these are worth understanding. A shortage of stock and a deep pool of motivated buyers can create real opportunity, particularly for those open to a discreet, off-market approach. It is once again a reminder that headlines rarely capture the full story, and that local conditions can differ markedly from the broader narrative.
If you would like a clear, considered view of what your property could achieve right now, speak with your local Marshall White agent today.
