posted 31st July 2025
The UK Property Market: A Moment of Pause - By Kevan Shepherd, Shepherd & White Estate Agents
The UK property landscape currently feels as though it is holding its breath, waiting for a signal to spring into action. From our perspective at Shepherd & White Estate Agents, spanning Leicester, Ashby, Coalville, and the Charnwood villages, the market is charged with potential but restrained by one persistent hurdle: affordability.
The latest findings from Landmark Information Group’s Q2 2025 Residential Property Trends Report paint a picture of a market that, while showing promise, remains in limbo. Transaction volumes have dipped since the initial stamp duty surge in March, but the fundamentals are aligning – mortgage rates are gradually softening, there is plenty of stock available, and buyer appetite remains unwavering. Despite these positives, however, the gap between what buyers want and what they can afford continues to widen.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Mansion House speech in June promised to make mortgages “more accessible, predictable, and affordable,” a move that would have significant implications for those looking to take the plunge. However, as of now, confidence in the market has yet to fully recover, with many potential buyers still hesitant to commit.
June did bring some signs of life to the market. Sold Subject to Contract (SSTC) volumes reached 2024 levels, and property searches saw an uptick. Despite this, offers and completions remain muted, with affordability continuing to create a bottleneck. The longer chains involved in some transactions are also adding complexity to proceedings, delaying the natural flow of the market.
One bright spot in the report came from Scotland, where the absence of SDLT (Stamp Duty Land Tax) changes this year helped maintain a steady transaction flow. But for the rest of the UK, the story is one of patience and restraint.
As Simon Brown, CEO of Landmark, aptly put it, we are not in a market retreat; we are in a market on pause. The ingredients for a recovery are all in place: a prepared industry, motivated sellers, and eager buyers. What we’re waiting for now is the trigger. And it is in the hands of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee, with their upcoming decision on August 7th poised to be a key moment in the market's next chapter.
In the meantime, at Shepherd & White, we remain committed to guiding our clients through these uncertain waters. While the market may feel stalled, the opportunity is very much there for those who are ready to move – it’s just a matter of timing.
If you’re considering entering the market in Leicester, Ashby, Coalville, or the Charnwood villages, don’t hesitate to reach out. The right property might be waiting for you – all that’s needed is the right moment to act.
Kevan Shepherd
Shepherd & White Estate Agents
Leicester | Ashby | Coalville | Charnwood Villages
