Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Solutions. Read the original article for full details.
Buyer Demand Rises 5% Across UK in Early September, Rightmove Reports
Rightmove analysis has revealed that buyer demand across the UK increased by 5% during the first week of September 2026. This rise is significantly higher than the average 0.4% increase typically seen during the same period over the past five years.
The improvement in buyer demand narrowed the year-on-year gap, moving from 14% below last year's figure at the end of August to 9% below in early September. The uplift was observed in every UK region, with London and the South West recording the strongest increases at 9% and 8% respectively.
London's increase is particularly notable given the region's ongoing challenges, such as weaker house price growth and affordability pressures. The West Midlands and North East both saw a 7% rise in buyer demand, while the East Midlands and South East each recorded a 6% increase. Scotland experienced the lowest growth at 1%, followed by Wales at 3%.
Rightmove described the overall improvement as a "welcome boost" after a year marked by economic, geopolitical, and environmental challenges. The start of September is often a busy period for the housing market, and this year's figures indicate a stronger-than-usual return of buyers to the market.
For letting agents and inventory clerks, these trends may signal increased activity in property transactions as the autumn season begins, particularly in regions showing the highest demand growth.
Source: Mortgage Solutions