Rightmove computes strongest sellers’ markets in the UK

Rightmove has identified the UK’s strongest sellers’ market - and it’s in Easton, Bristol.

Four of the top 10 sellers’ markets are in, or near to Bristol. Six of the top 20 locations are in Essex, and 18 of the top 20 locations are in the south of England.

Exceptional buyer demand this year has led to seven out of every 10 homes on Rightmove finding a buyer and being marked SSTC. This is compared to just two out of every 10 in 2012.

Houses in the £250,000 or below bracket were the best performing for sellers this year, with more than three quarters finding a buyer and being marked SSTC. 

This was particularly strong in the South West, where 82 per cent were marked SSTC.

This compares to just 15 per cent of flats priced at £1m or more that were marked SSTC, although these are marketed at a smaller group of buyers, and are often the best bracket to negotiate a deal.

Eight of the top 10 buyer markets are in London, and 16 of the top 20, highlighting the stark contrast in available properties in central London, and areas surrounding it.

Available stock per estate agency branch is at a new record low, however there are signs that there will be more buyer choice heading into 2022, as the number of people requesting a valuation of their home by an estate agent is up by 19 per cent compared to this time last year.

Rightmove director Tim Bannister says: “This year, sellers in Great Britain have had a better chance of finding a buyer for their home than at any time over the past decade. A staggering statistic is that seven in ten properties for sale have been marked sold subject to contract this year, compared to two out of ten in 2012, highlighting both the speed and efficiency of the housing market. 

“Managing short supply with high buyer demand has been a challenge for agents across Great Britain this year, and while the level of stock per agent is at record lows, the jump in number of people getting in touch with an agent to have their home valued suggests some fresh choice for buyers next year.”

Area	% of homes Sold Subject to Contract (SSTC)	% of homes available	Average asking price 2021	Average asking price change
Easton	83%	17%	£299,072	+7%
Andover	83%	17%	£296,117	+4%
Mangotsfield	82%	18%	£321,438	+7%
Eastleigh	81%	19%	£356,412	+5%
Middlewood	81%	19%	£214,208	+7%
Brislington	81%	19%	£314,605	+5%
Redditch	81%	19%	£238,364	+5%
Tilehurst	81%	19%	£372,101	+5%
Trowbridge	81%	19%	£257,706	+7%
Wickford	81%	19%	£392,105	+3%
Bridgwater	80%	20%	£207,277	+6%
Grays	80%	20%	£336,740	+5%
Littlehampton	80%	20%	£364,180	+6%
Basildon	80%	20%	£326,624	+5%
Dartford	80%	20%	£347,538	+5%
Witham	80%	20%	£312,370	+6%
Bexleyheath	80%	20%	£446,275	+5%
Benfleet	80%	20%	£409,130	+5%
South Benfleet	80%	20%	£426,783	+4%
St. Neots	80%	20%	£318,358	+8%

 

   Top buyer markets

Area	% of homes Sold Subject to Contract (SSTC)	% of homes available	Average asking price 2021	Average asking price change
Hoxton	10%	90%	£624,577	-6%
Aberdeen	15%	85%	£167,783	+1%
Chelsea	15%	85%	£1,821,683	+2%
Bayswater	15%	85%	£1,161,711	-3%
Knightsbridge	16%	84%	£3,639,322	-1%
Victoria	17%	83%	£1,176,342	-8%
Maida Vale	18%	82%	£1,232,074	+3%
Central Liverpool	20%	80%	£166,929	+7%
Finsbury	20%	80%	£813,608	-3%
Stockwell	21%	79%	£819,908	+3%
Central Birmingham	21%	79%	£216,075	-7%
Canary Wharf	22%	78%	£564,559	-1%
Camden	23%	77%	£1,017,850	-5%
Whitechapel	23%	77%	£597,972	-3%
Southwark	24%	76%	£787,341	-4%
Acton	25%	75%	£628,342	1%
Notting Hill	25%	75%	£1,207,747	-4%
Salford Quays	26%	74%	£192,149	+6%
Fulham	26%	74%	£1,071,662	3%
Cricklewood	27%	73%	£663,620	2%

 

Markets by price band

Price band	Property type	% of homes Sold Subject to Contract	% of homes available
£250,000 and under	House	76%	24%
£250,000-500,000	House	71%	29%
£500,000-£750,000	House	65%	35%
£750,000-£1 million	House	62%	38%
£250,000 and under	Flat	58%	42%
£1 million plus	House	50%	50%
£250,000-500,000	Flat	45%	55%
£500,000-£750,000	Flat	33%	67%
£750,000-£1 million	Flat	24%	76%
£1 million plus	Flat	15%	85%