Pull up a chair and let's get the kettle on. I was walking through Langdon Hills earlier, over towards Welbeck Rise, and it struck me how much we talk about the "price" of houses, but we rarely talk about the underlying heartbeat of the market: the balance between supply and demand.
Did you know that the experience of moving can feel totally different depending on the level of choice for buyers? Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let me ask you a question that might challenge what you’ve heard on the news: Do you think a "quiet" market means prices are falling, or just that there is a different level of competition for sellers?
In our little corner of the world, from the leafy spots in Langdon Hills over to the busy streets around High Oaks, the data is telling a story of high engagement. In fact, right now in the SS16 6 postcode area, the current stock levels place us firmly in a Seller’s Market.
Imagine you’ve baked a batch of your famous brownies for the school bake sale. If you’ve got twenty people queuing at your Tupperware before you’ve even put the lid down, you have very high competition for your goods. That is exactly what the housing supply feels like here. There are far more people looking for a "For Sale" sign than there are actual properties currently for sale in front gardens.
Current Market Activity in SS16 6 If you decided to put your home on the market today in SS16 6, you would be entering a market where the volume of transactions is high relative to the number of homes available. Currently, the data shows that 13 sales are agreed every single month. To put that in perspective, by the time we get to the middle of April, the current level of market activity suggests that a significant portion of the current housing supply will have already transitioned to "Sold" status. It is a market defined by high demand and limited choice for buyers.
The Reality of Housing Supply Here is the "Did you know" moment of the month: If we look at the ratio of stock to sales, the SS16 6 market is exceptionally lean.
Right now, there are only 18 properties for sale across the whole SS16 6 postcode. That is a tiny number when you consider how many people want to live in places like Mulberry Gardens or Hayrick Close. Because we are seeing about 13 sales every single month, that means a staggering 70% of the stock is turning over every 30 days.
In technical terms, the relationship between the 18 available homes and the 13 monthly sales indicates a very low level of inventory. It’s like a game of musical chairs where there are ten people and only two chairs left! The lack of choice for buyers means that competition for sellers is incredibly high.
What does this mean for you? If you’re living in SS16 6 and just watching the world go by, these low stock levels are great news for your home’s value. It means your "bricks and mortar" are a very hot commodity because the housing supply is so restricted.
For my friends looking to sell: You are in a fantastic position. Because there are only 18 homes available in the entire postcode, your property will stand out prominently. You won't have to worry about your home being lost in a sea of competing listings, but you do need to be prepared for the high level of buyer interest that this environment creates.
For my friends looking to buy: I won't sugarcoat it—there is significant competition for buyers out there. You’ve probably noticed that the average asking price is around £459,621, while sold prices (over the last year) sit closer to £384,005. This tells us that while there are some big-ticket homes being listed (like that beautiful place on Bowfell Drive), there’s a real range in the types of properties that make up the monthly sales figures. My best advice? Given the limited choice for buyers, have your mortgage agreed in principle and your solicitor on speed dial. In SS16 6, if you find a house you love, you need to be ready to act while it is still part of the available housing supply.
Whether you're curious about what your place might be worth or just want to chat about the current market activity on your street, give me a shout. The coffee is on me!