Market Update – Autumn 2025

In the last week of November alone, we agreed seven new sales, and all before Rachel Reeves’ dreaded Autumn Budget. We have to admit, that 2025 has been a challenging market and a great deal of press coverage plus the publics perception, has been that the market is ‘dead’. Despite this, we have had our best year since the pandemic boom in 2021, which was a phenomenal time fuelled by SDLT relief and a desire to escape to the country. James Pyle & Co have adapted during 2025 very differently to previous years.

We are normally totally reliant on the national portals, particularly Rightmove, to advertise our clients homes and generate enquiries. And whilst Rightmove reaches the four corners of the world, if a home does not sell quickly, Rightmove can equally be more damaging by advertising the date a home was listed on the market, the date it was reduced in price – both of which are ‘indelible marks’ on its saleability, which causes buyers to ignore these often excellent homes.

Whilst the advertising on the portals does bring us enquiries, we have been very careful to register every buyer, and as such we have managed to sell a considerable number of homes without listing them on Rightmove. In fact, reviewing our figures to date, we have sold and agreed sales on more homes this year, many of which were never listed on Rightmove.

Many of our clients are delighted that their house hasn’t been listed on Rightmove. Not just for their own privacy and also because of the curious nature of the ‘Rightmove watchers’ within our towns and villages, so that they can avoid the inevitable questions in the local shop or pub asking ‘have you sold your house yet?’ and avoid those quick to judge why they are selling and where they are moving to.

How do we do this you ask? It’s quite simple really, we use our database, our website and the old fashioned telephone to speak to buyers and discuss their needs. These calls convert to viewings and subsequently sales. Olf fashoned agency. In the event the house does not sell this way, thenit provides an ideal opportunity to review pricing and strategies with our clients before going to the wider market.

James Pyle FNAEA

Director