A staggering half of UK homes are failing to complete sales due to persistent overvaluation, new market data reveals. This woefully low success rate is attributed to estate agents' reluctance to price properties realistically, fearing they will lose instructions from sellers. The figures for week 27 of 2026 show that only 50.9% of listed homes reached exchange and completion.
According to analysis of June 2026 market activity, while 66,200 exchanges were recorded, approximately 64,000 properties were withdrawn from the market. This trend suggests that agents are often pricing properties too high, leading to a significant disparity between initial asking prices and those at which they eventually sell. Industry experts point out that this is not due to a shortage of buyers, but rather the reluctance among agents to price properties realistically.
The data also shows a growing trend of price reductions, with 14.3% of UK homes for sale having their prices lowered in June 2026 – an increase from 13.4% in May. The year-to-date average of 12.9% for price reductions now surpasses the six-year long-term average of 10.7%. A substantial 14.4% disparity remains between the average asking price of new listings (£427,000) and the average price at which properties go under offer (£373,000).
Despite these challenges in completing sales, overall market activity remains relatively robust. The year-to-date figures show 667,000 homes sold subject to contract – a slight decrease of 6.9% compared to 2025 but a marginal increase of 0.2% on 2024 levels and a significant 10.7% ahead of 2023. New listings have totalled 1,001,904 so far this year, nearly matching 2025 figures and exceeding 2024 by 4.5%. Stock levels remain steady, with approximately 760,000 homes on the market as of 1st July 2026.
The rental market continues to see price growth, with average rents reaching £1,808 per calendar month in June 2026 – up from £1,791 in June 2025. Available rental stock has also increased slightly, from 307,000 properties last year to 315,000 in June 2026. For homeowners, the price per square foot of properties going under offer in June 2026 averaged £350.22, marking a 1.94% increase over the past 12 months and a 12.3% rise over the last five years.