Something’s shifted in England’s property market — and sellers have noticed.
New research from estate agent Yopa shows there are currently around 471,619 homes listed for sale across England, a 6.3% rise since January. The England housing market is showing its strongest early-year momentum in recent memory, with some counties posting gains well above that national figure.
Year-on-year, that’s a 3.3% increase from March 2025. But the start-of-year surge tells the more interesting story.
Bristol leads the pack. The city has seen a 16.7% jump in properties listed since the turn of 2026 — nearly triple the national average. Hertfordshire isn’t far behind at 16.1%, followed by Surrey (15.5%), Buckinghamshire (14.9%), and Wiltshire (14.1%).
Double-digit growth? Practically everywhere in the South. Berkshire hit 12.6%, Cambridgeshire 12.5%, Hampshire and Oxfordshire both 12.2%, Bedfordshire 11.3%. That’s a lot of “For Sale” boards going up at once.
Not every county joined the rush, though. Five areas actually saw listings fall: Staffordshire (-1.6%), Shropshire (-1.4%), South Yorkshire (-1.2%), Lancashire (-1%), and Lincolnshire (-0.2%). Modest dips, but worth watching.
On an annual basis, the City of London saw the sharpest climb — up 15.8% compared to March 2025. Oxfordshire followed at 12.4%, then Cambridgeshire (11.5%), Hertfordshire (11.2%), Wiltshire (11%), Buckinghamshire (10.8%), Bedfordshire (10.6%), and Berkshire (10.1%).
Here’s where it gets interesting: what does this actually mean for buyers and sellers on the ground?
Yopa CEO Verona Frankish put it plainly: “England’s housing market is showing real signs of growth in 2026, with listings well up on the start of the year. What we’re seeing is renewed seller confidence translating into greater choice for buyers, which is helping to rebalance what has been a supply-constrained market in recent times.”
For sellers, that sounds encouraging. But Frankish added a word of caution — more supply means more competition. “Homes that are accurately priced and well presented from the outset are far more likely to secure strong interest and avoid prolonged time on the market. Overpricing in the current climate can quickly lead to stagnation or prolonged negotiations.”
So don’t get greedy. Fair warning.
Buyers, meanwhile, are in a better spot than they’ve been for a while. More stock means more leverage — real leverage, not just wishful thinking. Still, Frankish flagged that the best properties aren’t sitting around: “The best homes are still attracting significant attention. Acting decisively and being prepared remains key.”
The overall picture? The England housing market appears to finally be gaining the supply it’s needed. Whether that momentum holds through summer — with interest rates still a wildcard and affordability stretched in many areas — is the question nobody can fully answer yet.
Spring is here. The listings are up. What happens next is anyone’s guess.
