Homebuyers enjoy greatest choice in a decade as housing supply reaches 10-year high
The volume of properties coming to market has reached its highest level in at least ten years, giving prospective homebuyers the greatest choice of homes seen in a decade, according to the latest UK housing market data from TwentyCi, the UK’s leading residential property data provider.
The property intelligence provider’s latest Market Update for June 2026 shows that 794,000 properties were newly listed for sale during the first five months of the year, up 2.7% on 2025 and the highest level recorded in the series.
The increase in supply comes as buyer demand moderates following last year’s surge ahead of the Stamp Duty changes, creating more balanced market conditions for both borrowers and lenders.
While the number of properties moving to sale agreed fell by 4.1% year-on-year, demand remains significantly stronger than in 2023 and marginally ahead of 2024 levels. The data suggests the market is normalising rather than experiencing a sharp downturn, with buyers benefiting from increased choice and reduced competitive pressure.
The growing supply of homes is also contributing to a gradual shift in market dynamics. Average new instruction prices fell by 1.2% year-on-year to £441,400, while transaction prices have remained broadly stable, indicating that the market is adjusting through activity levels rather than widespread price declines.
For mortgage lenders, the data points to improving conditions for borrowers entering the market. With more stock available and fewer bidding wars, purchasers have greater opportunity to secure suitable properties while maintaining affordability.
The report also highlights improving transaction quality across the market. The proportion of sales falling through declined to 23.4% from 24.4% a year earlier, while the overall volume of fall-throughs fell by 11.1%. This suggests committed buyers are continuing to progress through the purchase journey despite ongoing affordability pressures.
At the same time, transaction times remain a challenge. The average time from sale agreed to exchange has increased to 132 days, or 4.3 months, up seven days on last year, continuing to tie up mortgage pipelines for longer periods.
However, lenders should monitor emerging demand trends closely. While activity remained relatively resilient through the first four months of the year, sales agreed volumes in May were down 8.1% year-on-year, potentially signalling weaker transaction volumes later in 2026 if the trend persists.
Colin Bradshaw, CEO of TwentyCi, said: “The most striking feature of today’s housing market is the level of choice available to buyers. Supply is at its highest point in a decade, creating a far healthier environment for purchasers than we have seen for many years.
“While demand has softened compared with the stamp duty-fuelled market of early 2025, buyer activity remains resilient by historical standards and significantly stronger than we saw in 2023. The market is becoming more balanced rather than materially weaker.
“For lenders, there are encouraging signs beneath the headline transaction figures. Fall-through rates are improving, house prices remain remarkably stable, and buyers are entering the market with more choice and greater negotiating power. These are all characteristics of a more sustainable housing market.
“That said, the slowdown in sales agreed activity during May warrants close attention. Sales agreed are one of the clearest leading indicators of future mortgage demand, and if this trend continues we would expect it to feed through into lower transaction volumes later in the year.”