Q1 2025 Property Market Update: Confidence, Caution, and a Shifting Landscape.

As we enter the 2nd quarter of 2025, the property market in Wealden, East Sussex continues to show signs of resilience and complexity. While activity levels remain healthy, underlying figures reveal a cautious but confident tone from both sellers and buyers.

Here’s a breakdown of what we’ve seen across the market so far this year.

Market Activity at a Glance:

Properties for Sale: There were 798 properties on the market in Q1 2025 – up 3.2% compared to the same time last year, but slightly down from Q4 2024 by 3.16%. Stock levels remain significantly higher than the long-term average (+36.2%), providing buyers with more options.

New Listings: With 500 new listings, supply remains buoyant. While this is 10.2% lower than Q1 2024 (which saw an unusually strong start), it marks a substantial 52.9% increase from the typically quieter Q4 period.

Sales Agreed: There were 271 sales agreed, down 8.1% year-on-year, though showing a 4.6% improvement from Q4 2024. This slight decline in yearly sales volumes suggests that while buyers are still active, many remain measured in their decisions.

Pricing Trends: Average Asking Price: £649,229 Asking Price per sq ft: £441. Average Sale Price Agreed: £531,298.

Asking prices have climbed sharply, with sellers marketing homes at 13.1% more than in Q1 2024. The price per square foot is also up 7.0% year-on-year. However, the average sale price agreed is trailing behind at £531,298, indicating that buyers are still negotiating and pushing back on top-end valuations.

Vendor & Buyer Behaviour

Price Changes: There were 298 price reductions, up 20.7% from Q1 2024 and 33.6% from Q4 – a strong sign that while sellers are starting high, many are having to adjust in response to market feedback.

Withdrawn Listings: Withdrawals fell to 205, which is 10.1% lower than last year and 28.6% below Q4. This implies increased seller confidence or stronger buyer engagement.

Fall-Throughs: Fall-throughs have risen to 82 transactions, a 22.4% increase from Q1 2024. This may be attributed to stretched affordability, lending challenges, or buyers backing out in a market where choice has grown.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

For Sellers: While pricing confidence is clearly back, the rise in price changes suggests the market is not absorbing aggressive valuations without resistance. Those pricing realistically from the start are still achieving strong results.

For Buyers: There’s more stock to choose from, and negotiation remains a key part of the process. Although prices are on the rise, there is room to find value—especially if you're prepared and decisive.

Looking Ahead to Q2

With a more balanced supply-demand environment, Q2 could go either way. Much will depend on mortgage rates, economic confidence, and whether seller expectations begin to align more closely with buyer sentiment.

This is a market where strategy matters—whether you're buying or selling. Call us if you are looking to sell this year and want to work with an agent you knows your area and the local market trends.