UK’s housing inventory hits ‘highest degree in eight years’; South East Water restores service to most Kent and Sussex houses – enterprise dwell | Enterprise

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The inventory of houses on the market within the UK has hit its highest degree in additional than eight years, the property portal Zoopla has discovered.

The typical property agent began the yr with 32 houses on the market, the best degree in early January in Zoopla’s analysis, which dates again to 2018.

The best progress in housing on the market is in London, up 16% in contrast with final yr, adopted by the south east, up 9%.

Not all of the properties nonetheless are “model new” to the market, Zoopla added – 33% had been beforehand listed in 2025, with sellers coming again to the market after a few of the uncertainty across the funds beginning to fade.

However the progress is proof that urge for food within the property market is beginning to enhance, Richard Donnell, a director at Zoopla, mentioned.

Rising numbers of houses on the market is proof of a robust underlying urge for food to maneuver dwelling for a lot of households.

Throughout a lot of southern England, there’s a a lot larger selection of houses on the market. Consumers are price-sensitive and have extra selection, so attaining the very best consequence relies on setting a aggressive asking worth and attracting early curiosity. Houses priced too excessive usually take longer to promote and on the threat of attaining a lower cost. It is necessary that householders worth fastidiously and search the recommendation of brokers to plan the proper technique for his or her dwelling sale.

Throughout the remainder of the nation there’s a diploma of shortage, however sellers want to stay reasonable over pricing. The market is secure somewhat than booming. Consumers are energetic however cautious, which suggests pricing appropriately from the outset is essential. Houses which are well-presented and realistically priced proceed to promote, whereas these priced optimistically will take longer and may have worth reductions to draw curiosity.”

Elsewhere this morning, the FTSE 100 has slipped 0.15% because the commodities market begins to tug again. Copper, nickel and tin costs are down this morning, in addition to gold, though it’s nonetheless buying and selling above $4,600 per ounce.

Oil costs are nonetheless rising barely as buyers proceed to contemplate dangers round provide, even after the US mentioned it might maintain off on any assaults on Iran. Brent crude rose by 0.2%, to $63.92 per barrel, whereas US West Texas Intermediate rose 0.2% to $59.37 per barrel.

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