Demand for new-build homes remained subdued during Q2 2026, while the proportion of new-build properties coming to market continued to fall, according to the latest analysis from Property Inspect.

The research found that new-build homes accounted for 5.8% of all properties listed across Great Britain during the quarter, down 0.5% on Q1 2026 and 0.2% lower than a year earlier. At the same time, just 16.3% of available new-build homes secured a buyer, a marginal quarterly decline of 0.1% and 1.8% lower than Q2 2025.

Liverpool continued to have the highest proportion of new-build stock, with such properties accounting for 9.2% of all homes on the market, followed by Aberdeen (8.5%), Newcastle (6.4%) and Manchester (6.3%).

Buyer demand was strongest in Bristol, where 25.7% of new-build homes found a buyer, ahead of Plymouth (21.3%), Nottingham (21.1%), Sheffield (21.0%) and Bournemouth (20.5%).

Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, Operations Director at Property Inspect, said: “What stands out this quarter is the contrast between local markets. Some cities are seeing buyers engage with new-build homes at a healthy rate, while others continue to face much tougher conditions. This reinforces the importance of understanding local demand dynamics rather than relying on a national picture alone.

“Today's buyers are taking more time to assess value, quality and long-term confidence before committing. Developers who can demonstrate quality and provide reassurance throughout the buying process are likely to be best placed to convert interest into sales.”

The figures suggest that while demand for new-build homes remains selective, local market conditions continue to play a significant role in determining sales performance.