The average price of property coming to market for sale rose by 1.1% (+£3,876) in March to £371,870 according to Rightmove.

March is historically, along with February, the best time in the year to list a property for sale as the highest proportion of homes listed in these months going on to find a buyer reports Rightmove.

Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, said: “Historic averages show that this March is likely to be one of the strongest months of the year for sellers to spring into action. However, sellers can’t just rely on these historic averages for success, as this year they are facing a decade-high level of competition. Those who are successfully finding buyers right now are working hard with their agents to price competitively and present their home in the best possible light. The big milestone ahead in England is the stamp duty deadline, and with a massive log-jam of 575,000 moves going through the legal completion process, many cost-conscious buyers will be doing all they can to get their move over the line and avoid unnecessary extra tax. Whilst agents tell us that they have been working with both sellers and buyers to factor in the additional charges, many movers are understandably hoping to reduce their tax bill and keep their savings for themselves.”

Sales being agreed are 9% higher than in March 2024 and the number of new sellers is now 8% ahead of this time last year.

Chris Rosindale, Chief Operating Officer at Connells Group, said: “The market is performing well, and the number of property exchanges we're seeing is ahead of last year. Despite the upcoming changes to Stamp Duty, we haven't seen any slowdown in buyers' appetites to purchase a home, even now knowing that they won't meet the deadline of 31st March.”