The number of homes undergoing asking price reductions has increased by 10.8% year on year, according to analysis of TwentyCI data by House Buyer Bureau, a quick-sale property company.
The analysis also reveals that fall-throughs have risen by 4.5%, whilst properties withdrawn from the market have increased by 7.6% annually. Despite new instructions growing by 2.1% over the past year, the data suggests sellers are encountering significant obstacles in completing transactions.
Market pressures mount
Chris Hodgkinson, Managing Director of House Buyer Bureau, said: “These figures show that the experience for many sellers remains incredibly difficult. More homes are selling, and more transactions are reaching exchange, but this increase has been largely driven by the fact that sellers are being forced to lower their asking price in order to secure a buyer.”
He added: “At the same time, we’re still seeing a growing number of sales collapse, and many sellers are simply giving up and withdrawing from the market altogether because they have become exhausted by the process.”
The findings come as major estate agencies report declining sales volumes amid broader market uncertainty. Hodgkinson noted that affordability constraints and extended buyer decision timelines are contributing to fragile transaction chains.
Implications for the sector
The data indicates sustained pressure on the traditional sales process, with conveyancing delays and uncertain timelines continuing to affect completion rates. According to Hodgkinson, these conditions are driving some sellers towards alternative quick-sale platforms seeking greater transaction certainty.
The increase in price reductions alongside rising fall-through rates suggests that even when sellers adjust expectations to attract buyers, completing transactions remains challenging in the current market environment.