The property market over the first few months the year has, overall, shown a commendable level of resilience, stability, and underlying strength, particularly when viewed against a backdrop of wider economic and global uncertainty.
From a demand perspective, one of the most encouraging trends has been the consistently strong level of new buyer registrations. We have seen a steady stream of motivated purchasers entering the market, many of whom are proceedable, well-informed, and keen to secure a property as we move. This level of engagement has provided a solid foundation for 2026 and has helped maintain momentum across all price ranges.
This demand has translated into good levels of offers, with many properties attracting strong interest shortly after coming to market. We have seen buyers acting decisively, particularly where homes are well-presented, or indeed needing refurbishment and sensibly priced. As a result, agreed sales levels have remained strong, reinforcing the fact that, when the right property meets the right price, transactions are progressing with confidence.
Where the market has been slightly more constrained is on the supply side, with the number of new instructions coming to market being a little slower than would normally be expected at this stage of the year. In our view, this has largely been influenced by what has felt like a prolonged winter period, both in terms of weather conditions and general sentiment. Many prospective sellers appeared to adopt a “wait and see” approach, holding back from launching their properties until clearer signs of spring and improved market conditions emerged.
Reassuringly, this hesitation now appears to be easing. Over the course of the last three weeks, we have experienced a noticeable and welcome increase in valuation requests, which is traditionally one of the most reliable leading indicators of future market activity. This uplift suggests that confidence is returning on the supply side, and we anticipate a stronger flow of new instructions coming to market as we move further into the late spring and early summer months. Seasonality always plays an important role in the property market, and it does feel that 2026 has simply seen a slightly delayed start, rather than any fundamental weakening. With lighter evenings, improved weather, and renewed confidence, we are now seeing the market begin to operate with the energy and momentum typically associated with this time of year.
From a broader economic and geopolitical standpoint, there had been understandable concerns that ongoing global tensions, including the situation surrounding the Iran conflict. Encouragingly, this has not had the material effect that some had anticipated. The market has remained relatively insulated, with domestic factors—such as employment stability, mortgage availability, and local demand—continuing to play a far more significant role in driving activity. In addition, mortgage rates, whilst still higher than the historic lows of previous years, have stabilised to a level that buyers are now becoming more accustomed to. This adjustment has helped support affordability and has allowed purchasers to proceed with greater certainty, further underpinning the consistency of demand we are witnessing.
North Birmingham Market Highlights
Focusing more locally, the North Birmingham market—including Sutton Coldfield, Four Oaks, Walmley and Great Barr—has performed particularly well during the opening months of the year.
Buyer demand across these areas has remained consistently strong, with a notable increase in applicants relocating within the region, as well as those moving out from central Birmingham in search of larger homes, better schooling catchments, and more lifestyle-driven locations. This has been especially evident in family housing, where well-positioned properties continue to generate strong interest and, in many cases, multiple viewings within the first few days of marketing.
In terms of pricing, values have remained firm and well-supported, with realistically priced homes continuing to achieve strong levels of interest and competitive offers. The upper end of the market has also shown encouraging signs of activity, particularly where properties are presented to a high standard and offer the space and specification that buyers now expect.
In summary, whilst the early part of 2026 has been characterised by a slightly restricted level of new stock, the overall health of the market remains very positive. Strong buyer demand, good levels of agreed sales, and a recent surge in valuation and instructions activity all point towards a more active and balanced market in the months ahead. With the seasonal uplift now clearly underway, and confidence building on both sides of the market, the outlook for the remainder of the year is both encouraging and optimistic, and we anticipate continued strong levels of activity as we progress through the key spring and early summer selling period.
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If you would like to discuss selling your home, please get in touch with 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:
Four Oaks 0121 323 3088
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Walmley 0121 313 2888
Great Barr 0121 358 6222
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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 been serving the North Birmingham community for 33 years.
