Prospective buyer enquiries for homes across the UK remain below the levels seen a year ago, according to the latest market report from property portal Rightmove. While activity is not matching the peak of 2025, the housing market is displaying signs of stability rather than further decline, with demand largely consistent with the patterns observed throughout 2026.
The report indicates that the number of individuals making enquiries about properties for sale is still trailing the figures from the same period last year. However, this level of activity has settled into a steady pattern, following what was a more subdued start to the current year. Despite ongoing pressures from affordability constraints and broader economic uncertainty, Rightmove suggests the market is performing better than some initial expectations, with enquiry volumes showing little week-on-week fluctuation.
A temporary dip in buyer demand was noted following May 22nd, coinciding with a period of unusually hot weather and the half-term school holiday. Rightmove's analysis revealed an 8% fall in buyer demand during that week, as many prospective buyers seemingly postponed arranging viewings due to the rising temperatures.
However, this dip proved to be short-lived. Demand began to recover swiftly from June 1st as weather conditions cooled, with buyer activity quickly returning to typical seasonal patterns. By June 6th, the number of enquiries from prospective buyers had already surpassed the levels recorded before the heatwave.
Colleen Babcock from Rightmove commented on these fluctuations, explaining that short-term external events, such as heatwaves or school holidays, often have a temporary impact on home-moving activity. She highlighted that the rapid rebound in demand, now being observed, indicates that underlying market activity remains consistent with the trends seen throughout 2026 so far. This resilience suggests a fundamental level of interest in the property market despite external influences.