Homeowners in England and Wales are moving less frequently, with the proportion selling within three years of buying reaching its lowest level on record. Analysis of Land Registry data by Connells Group shows that just 5% of sellers this year had owned their home for less than three years. This compares to 8% in 2016 and 15% in 2006.
The trend extends to longer ownership periods, with the share of sellers within five years more than halving from 29% in 2006 to 14% in 2026. The average seller this year had owned their property for 12.3 years, up from 9.2 years a decade ago.
Connells Group attributes this decline to higher transaction costs, increased mortgage rates, and weaker house price growth. Weaker price growth has led to some recent buyers facing losses, with 20% of sellers who owned their property for five years or less selling for less than they paid in 2026, compared to 6% in 2006.
The effect is particularly noticeable at the higher end of the market, where an estimated 32% of homes originally bought for £1 million or more are now worth less than their purchase price. London has seen the most significant change, with only 9% of sellers in the capital having bought their property within the previous five years, down from 27% in 2006.