Autumn Home-Selling Season Off to a Strong Start
Here at Acres Estate Agents, we’ve seen first-hand that the Autumn home-selling season of 2026 is already gathering pace. Once the summer holidays draw to a close, September and October traditionally mark one of the busiest periods of the year, and there are encouraging signs that buyers are once again returning to the market.
Many homeowners and buyers across Sutton Coldfield, Four Oaks, Walmley, Great Barr and the wider North Birmingham area are actively thinking about their next move, whether that’s upsizing for more family space, downsizing after retirement or simply making a lifestyle change.
The property market has certainly experienced its ups and downs over recent years. 2023 was a particularly subdued year as sharply higher mortgage rates, inflation and the increased cost of living caused many would-be movers to put their plans on hold. Conditions improved during 2024 and 2025, although 2026 has brought a slightly different market.
The Bank of England Base Rate currently stands at 3.75%, while the latest available figures show annual CPI inflation at 2.9%. Mortgage rates have risen from the particularly competitive levels seen at the beginning of 2026, making affordability and realistic pricing increasingly important for both buyers and sellers.
Despite this, there are some very positive signs as we enter the important autumn market. Nationally, the number of people searching for a home is 7% higher than a year ago, the strongest annual increase for 12 months, showing that many buyers who spent the summer sitting on the sidelines are starting to return.
There is also plenty of choice, with around 5% more homes available for sale than at this time last year. This is good news for buyers but means sellers need to ensure their property is presented well, marketed strongly and, crucially, priced correctly from the outset.
At Acres, we are seeing renewed activity across our local offices as families and homeowners begin making plans for the remainder of 2026 and beyond. Good-quality family homes continue to attract interest, while the market for individual and premium homes throughout Four Oaks, Little Aston and surrounding areas remains active when properties are marketed at sensible and achievable asking prices.
Local Expertise Meets a Changing Market
The market this autumn is perhaps best described as active but price-sensitive.
Well-presented and sensibly priced homes are attracting serious interest, while properties launched too ambitiously risk sitting unsold for longer. Buyers have more choice and are increasingly comparing homes on price, condition and location before deciding where to offer.
Accordingly, at Acres we are advising clients to price competitively from day one and make the most of the renewed buyer activity we are seeing as the summer holiday period comes to an end.
Presentation is equally important. Professional photography, clear floorplans, strong internet exposure and targeted social media marketing all help a property stand out, particularly in a market where buyers currently have more homes to choose from.
For sellers, the first few weeks of marketing are particularly important. An unrealistic initial asking price can mean missing those crucial early enquiries, while a sensibly priced and well-presented property is far more likely to generate viewings and offers.
The forthcoming Autumn Budget on Wednesday 28 October 2026 will also be one to watch. Any announcements affecting property taxation, stamp duty, landlords, investment or household finances could influence sentiment as we approach the end of the year. As always, our team will be keeping a close eye on any measures affecting the housing market so that we can help our clients understand what they may mean in practice.
House Prices – Autumn 2026 Snapshot
The summer market traditionally sees asking prices soften, and this year the seasonal slowdown has been more noticeable.
According to Rightmove, the average asking price of a newly marketed property fell by 2.0% in August to £364,999, the largest August fall for eight years. Average asking prices are currently around 1.0% lower than a year ago.
The latest Rightmove figures show:
- Average UK asking price: £364,999
- First-time buyer sector: £225,525
- Second-stepper homes: £341,807
- Top-of-the-ladder properties: £667,056
This does not mean the market has suddenly become weak. Rather, it demonstrates how important realistic pricing has become. Buyers remain active, with searches for homes now running 7% higher than a year ago, although agreed sales remain around 6% below last year’s levels as higher mortgage costs continue to affect purchasing power.
Locally, Sutton Coldfield and the surrounding areas continue to offer a broad and active market. Attractive family homes in Four Oaks, Little Aston, Walmley and Wylde Green, together with properties close to well-regarded schools and good transport links, continue to generate interest when correctly priced.
Homes offering something a little different can also stand out strongly from competing properties. Generous family accommodation, a home office, annexe potential, larger gardens, energy-efficient improvements or convenient access to the Cross City Line can all make a property particularly appealing.
Advice for Sellers in Autumn 2026
Despite buyers having more choice, correctly priced homes are still selling.
The latest Zoopla research puts the national average time to find a buyer at around 42 days, although there are considerable differences depending upon location, property type, price and initial asking price.
Our advice at Acres Estate Agents is clear:
- Price realistically from the outset. With buyers able to compare more properties, the first few weeks of marketing are particularly important.
- Presentation matters. Clean, uncluttered and well-presented homes supported by professional photography and an accurate floorplan generally make the strongest first impression.
- Deal with small jobs early. Minor maintenance, guarantees, certificates and other useful paperwork are worth getting organised before a sale progresses.
- Make the most of the autumn market. September and October traditionally bring renewed activity as families return from their summer holidays and buyers refocus on moving home.
- Stand out from the competition. Strong presentation, extensive portal exposure, social media promotion and proactive contact with registered buyers can all make a difference.
- Use genuine local knowledge. As one of the area’s longest-established, largest family-owned independent estate agents, Acres understands how demand can differ not just from town to town but from one road, development or school catchment to another.
What This Means for Buyers
For buyers, the Autumn 2026 market offers plenty of choice, with more homes currently available for sale than at the same point last year.
Greater choice does not, however, mean that buyers can afford to be complacent. The best homes, particularly those that are correctly priced and well presented, can still attract interest quickly.
Buyers who already have their mortgage arrangements in place, their own property under offer where applicable and their paperwork organised will generally be in the strongest position when the right home becomes available.
Affordability remains an important consideration. Average five-year fixed mortgage rates are currently around 4.8%, and higher borrowing costs continue to influence what buyers are willing and able to pay. This means purchasers are increasingly focused on securing the right property at the right price.
Locally, we continue to see strong interest from families looking to move into Sutton Coldfield, Four Oaks, Walmley and surrounding areas, particularly where access to highly regarded schools such as Arthur Terry is an important consideration.
Within the premium market, buyers are increasingly looking beyond simply the number of bedrooms. Proximity to Sutton Park, generous gardens, dedicated home offices, flexible accommodation, annexes, energy-efficient improvements and high-quality entertaining space can all help a property stand apart.
For anyone actively looking to buy, our advice is simple: register directly with your local Acres office and make sure we understand exactly what you are looking for. Being registered with our teams can help ensure you hear about suitable new instructions as soon as possible.
Final Word from Nigel Deekes
“Autumn 2026 is beginning with some very encouraging signs. After a quieter summer, buyers are returning to the market and there is renewed activity across many of the areas we cover.
That said, buyers have more choice and mortgage affordability remains an important factor, so this is very much a market where accurate pricing and first-class presentation make the difference.
For sellers, launching at the right price from day one is crucial. For buyers, being organised and ready to proceed can put you in a much stronger position when the right home becomes available.
At Acres, our experienced teams across Sutton Coldfield, Four Oaks, Walmley and Great Barr are on hand to guide you through every step, from the first valuation or viewing right through to completion.”
If you are considering selling, buying or simply wondering what your home may now be worth, speak to your local Acres office for friendly, straightforward advice and a free, no-obligation market appraisal. Please contact us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call any of our busy, helpful teams/offices:
Additionally, you check how much your home is worth with our instant valuation tool : Instant Valuation here.
For further information on lettings, help, or to book a rental valuation, please contact our Lettings Manager, Hamad, and the Acres Lettings team on 0121 312 4997 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Four Oaks 0121 323 3088
Sutton Coldfield 0121 321 2101
Walmley 0121 313 2888
Great Barr 0121 358 6222
Lettings 0121 312 4997
Thank you for reading this article, and your interest in Acres and our property for sale.
Nigel & Jayne Deekes – Acres Partners
Acres; proud to be family owned, managed, run and to have be
