Homes are taking longer to secure offers than they were a year ago, although demand remains resilient, according to new analysis from Connells Group.
The research found that 52% of homes listed in January 2026 received an offer within six months, compared with 58% of properties launched during the same period last year. The proportion attracting an offer within the first month also fell from 42% to 38%.
Connells said the figures point to an increasingly polarised market, with affordable homes continuing to perform well while larger, more expensive properties face weaker demand.
Two-bedroom homes remain the strongest-performing sector, with 55% securing an offer within six months, followed by three-bedroom properties at 53%. By contrast, only 41% of five-bedroom homes received an offer over the same period, down sharply from 59% a year earlier.
Freehold homes also continued to outperform leasehold properties. Around 53% of freehold homes secured an offer within six months, compared with 48% of leasehold homes, reflecting softer demand for flats as affordability pressures, service charges and buyer caution continue to weigh on the market.
Regional performance varied significantly. Scotland remained the fastest-moving housing market, with 68% of homes attracting an offer within six months. The East of England and Wales were the only regions to record year-on-year improvements, while the South East and South West saw some of the largest declines.
At local authority level, Bury topped the rankings, with 95% of homes receiving an offer within six months. Eight of the top 10 best-performing areas were in the Midlands or the North, while no London borough featured in the top 10.
The analysis also underlined the importance of accurate pricing. Homes that underwent a price reduction were still 27% less likely to receive an offer than properties that remained at their original asking price, suggesting many had entered the market overpriced.
Where price reductions did lead to a sale, sellers waited an average of 49 days to receive an offer, only slightly quicker than the 53-day average recorded a year earlier. Connells said the findings highlight the importance of getting the asking price right from the outset, particularly for higher-value homes where buyers remain more price-sensitive.
Aneisha Beveridge, research director at Connells Group, said: “The housing market is still moving, but buyers have become more selective about where they spend their money. The strongest demand continues to be concentrated in the middle market, particularly among two and three-bedroom homes which appeal to first-time buyers, growing families and households whose moves are often driven by changing circumstances rather than choice alone.
“By contrast, higher-value homes face a tougher environment. Mortgage costs remain significantly higher than they were a few years ago, and that impact is felt most in more expensive parts of the country where buyers typically need to borrow more. Combined with wider political and economic uncertainty, this is causing some households to take a more
cautious approach.”
