Mannleys Market Watch – February 2026
Welcome to this month’s property market update from Mannleys Sales & Lettings. Here’s a roundup of where things stand right now — and what to keep an eye on in the coming months.
Signs of Stability Returning to the Housing Market
The UK property market is beginning to show early signs of improvement following a challenging period, according to the latest report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
New buyer enquiries have continued to rise gradually, and agreed sales are now at their least negative level since mid-2025. Nationally, house prices are also stabilising, with momentum slowly improving. Encouragingly, expectations for sales over the next twelve months have strengthened significantly, suggesting growing confidence that activity will pick up as the year progresses.
While the recovery is expected to be gradual, the direction of travel is positive. Much will depend on mortgage rates and wider economic confidence in the months ahead.
Locally, across our immediate postcode areas, we are seeing similar patterns. Buyer interest has become more consistent since the start of the year, particularly for realistically priced family homes and well-presented properties in popular residential locations. The £200,000–£350,000 bracket remains particularly active, with first-time buyers and second-steppers carefully re-entering the market.
However, buyers remain price-sensitive. Over-ambitious pricing can still lead to extended marketing periods, whereas competitively positioned properties are generating solid viewing levels and agreed sales.
At Mannleys Sales & Lettings, we’re finding that confidence is returning — just at a more measured pace than in previous boom periods. For sellers willing to price correctly and buyers ready to act decisively, 2026 is shaping up to offer steady, sustainable opportunities.
If you’re considering a move this year, our team would be happy to provide tailored advice based on current activity in your specific postcode.
Could Help to Buy Return – And What Would It Mean for Our Local Market?
With new-build sales slowing nationally, the Government is reviewing whether a successor to the Help to Buy scheme could help stimulate demand — particularly among first-time buyers.
The original scheme (2013–2022) allowed buyers to secure a new-build property with just a 5% deposit, supported by a government equity loan. While there are currently no confirmed plans for a replacement, ministers have confirmed discussions are ongoing, with a formal review due this spring.
Here in our local area, we continue to see strong interest from first-time buyers, particularly in the £180,000–£300,000 price range. However, affordability remains the key challenge. Higher mortgage rates, stricter lending criteria and the ongoing cost-of-living pressures mean many buyers are finding it harder to build deposits or meet monthly affordability assessments — especially for new-build homes, which can carry a price premium.
We are also seeing that when first-time buyers pause, it has a ripple effect. They are a vital part of the housing chain, and when entry-level demand slows, it impacts sellers looking to move up the ladder as well.
A well-structured replacement for Help to Buy — if introduced — could provide a much-needed confidence boost locally. Not only would it support buyers trying to get onto the property ladder, but it could also increase activity across the wider market and assist developers in bringing forward new housing supply.
As always, Mannleys Sales & Lettings will continue to monitor developments closely and advise our clients on what any policy changes could mean for buying, selling or investing in our area.
View Your Next Home in Person – Not Just on Your Phone
While online property portals have made searching for a home easier than ever, industry experts are urging buyers not to rely solely on scrolling from the sofa.
Property search firm Stacks has highlighted growing concern that buyers are spending hours browsing listings online, yet failing to book in-person viewings. On average, house hunters spend around six hours a week searching property websites — but many don’t follow this up with a physical visit.
Stacks warns that this “portal obsession” could actually reduce a buyer’s chances of securing the right home. Photographs, floorplans and virtual tours are helpful tools, but they cannot fully capture the feel of a property, its surroundings or the finer details that often influence a purchasing decision.
At Mannleys Sales & Lettings, we regularly see how different a property can feel in person compared to how it appears online. Room proportions, natural light, storage space and even the atmosphere of a street or neighbourhood are things that simply cannot be judged from a screen.
Online searching is a fantastic starting point — but physical viewings remain an essential step in finding the right home. If you’re actively looking, we always recommend arranging a viewing as soon as possible, particularly in a competitive market where well-presented properties can attract strong interest.
If you would like to arrange a viewing or discuss your property search in more detail, our team is always here to help.
