Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Strategy. Read the original article for full details.
More than 54,000 homes hit the market in a fortnight after back-to-school rush
More than 54,000 homes have been put up for sale across England since the start of September, according to research by estate agency Yopa. The number of homes available to buyers increased by 16% in two weeks, with some parts of England recording rises of more than a third.
Yopa analysed property listings across every county in England on August 31 and again on September 14 to identify where the biggest increases in available housing had been recorded following the traditional summer slowdown. The research found 331,255 homes were listed for sale across England on August 31. By September 14, that figure had risen to 385,565, an increase of 54,310 properties in 14 days. Homes listed since the beginning of September now account for around one in seven properties currently on the market.
Regional picture
Rutland recorded the largest increase in available housing, with properties for sale rising by 35% since the end of August. New listings since September 1 account for 26% of all properties currently listed for sale in the county. The Isle of Wight recorded the second-largest increase, with available stock rising by 34%. Worcestershire, Devon and Greater London each saw a 20% rise, while Oxfordshire, Bristol and Norfolk each increased by 19%. Somerset and Northamptonshire completed the top 10, both recording an 18% increase.
Seasonal pattern and seller competition
Yopa chief executive Verona Frankish said the increase was consistent with the seasonal pattern of the property market, noting that the summer holidays traditionally bring a quieter period as sellers hold off while schools are out. She said that once September arrives, the market tends to spring back into action, and should bring greater choice for buyers who may have put their plans on hold over the summer months. However, Frankish also warned that greater levels of stock mean more competition amongst sellers, and that those coming to market this autumn will need to remain realistic on price if they want to secure a buyer, particularly with the wider market remaining more subdued than in previous years.
The analysis was based on Zoopla data covering properties listed for sale as of September 14, 2026, including listings added during the preceding 14 days.
For letting agents and inventory clerks, a sharp rise in sales stock in an area can signal increased property movement going into autumn. It is worth monitoring where local supply shifts most, particularly in the top 10 counties identified above.
Source: Mortgage Strategy