Hello there! I’m Matt Camino, your local property guide here in M21. It is the 2nd of July 2026, and we’ve got some big news to chat about over a brew.
Why Are So Many ‘For Sale’ Signs Getting Dusty? The Big Property Slowdown Explained
Have you noticed more "For Sale" boards staying up in our Chorlton streets lately? Usually, these signs flip to "Sold" faster than you can finish a Sunday roast. But today, some new data from Zoopla has landed, and it’s a bit of an eye-opener.
Since the start of this year, three out of every five homes put up for sale in the UK are still waiting for a buyer to collect the keys. That’s more than half! It’s like throwing a birthday party and 60% of the guests haven’t turned up yet.
What’s going on?
The main reason is the "cost of borrowing." To buy a house, most people take a massive loan from a bank. At the moment, the banks are charging quite a lot of extra money every month to let you have that loan.
Imagine you wanted to buy a chocolate bar that usually costs £1. But suddenly, the shop says you can have the chocolate now, but you have to pay them 10p every single day for the next month just for the privilege of eating it. You might decide to just wait, right? That’s exactly what many people wanting to move house are doing right now. They are "parking the car" and waiting to see if things get cheaper later.
Did you know? The average person in the UK moves house only once every 20 years! That’s about the same amount of time it takes for a tiny acorn to grow into a sturdy young oak tree.
What does this mean for you?
- If you are selling: You need to be the "shiniest apple in the crate." Because there are so many houses sitting on the market, buyers are being very picky. If your kitchen tap is leaky or your garden looks like a jungle, people might just walk away to the next house.
- If you are buying: You are in the driver's seat! Since there aren't many people rushing to buy, you can take your time. You don't have to scramble and make a decision in five minutes. You can ask for a better price, too.
My View: The M21 Twist
Here in M21—covering places like Chorlton and Whalley Range—things are a little bit different. We are lucky because people always want to live here for our amazing parks and those independent shops on the high street.
However, even M21 isn't a bubble. I’ve noticed that houses with four or five bedrooms are taking a bit longer to sell than the smaller, cosy terraces. This is because those big family homes require much bigger loans from the bank, and as we discussed, those loans are expensive right now!
A surprising fact: People who have a cat or a dog are often more likely to stay in a home longer than people who don't. Our furry friends really do help us put down roots!
My Advice
If you’re thinking of selling, don't panic. People are still moving—they’re just being more careful. My top tip? Make your house look like a "show home" every single day. Bake some bread before a viewing (the smell really does work!) and make sure your price is fair.
To the buyers: Keep your eyes peeled. There are some real "hidden gems" sitting on the market right now that might have been overlooked because everyone is a bit nervous. Fortune favours the brave!