The Market's Ready, Are You?
Thousands of buyers, hundreds of sales and a market that's busier than the headlines suggest – here's what's really happening.
You've probably heard: the market's had it, buyers have vanished, nothing's moving. If you've been holding off making a decision because of that, here's the update you need: it's going well!
Right now, 6356 buyers are actively considering properties and booking viewings across South East London and Kent, with half of that group refreshed by new buyers joining every month. Add to that around 4000 viewings happening every single month and 1163 homes we're currently marketing for local sellers, and a very different picture starts to form.
Michelle Dean, Branch Partner at Swanley, sees it first-hand: “In all my years’ experience, activity right now is genuinely good. Our customers are out there moving and getting the results they want.”
The numbers back her up. In the first six months alone, the Robinson Jackson Group agreed 1822 sales and helped 1242 people get the keys to their new home. That's the platform the rest of the year is building on.
So, if you're thinking about moving before the end of 2026, let's look at what it means for you.
Mortgages are looking calmer than the headlines suggest
You'll have seen the scary headlines about borrowing. But the real story is more reassuring. The Bank of England has kept interest rates steady for several meetings in a row – in line with its latest decision – and lenders have started offering better deals again, which is good news for anyone buying with a mortgage.
James King, Managing Director of Mortgage Advice Bureau, watches this play out with buyers every day:
"People come to us expecting bad news. But when we sit down and go through the numbers, most are surprised by how manageable things actually are. Rates have levelled off, lenders want your business and there are still some really strong deals out there, if you know where to look."
His team's own figures back that up. Locally in Kent, they've helped 50% more people with their mortgages this year and written 11% more of them overall. That's even better than the national picture, where mortgage lending across the whole country is actually down. In other words, while elsewhere slows down, our local market is doing the opposite.
There's more choice than there's been in a while
One big change this year is how many homes are for sale – nearly 1200 across our offices right now. That's great news if you're buying. A wider selection means a better chance of finding a home that actually suits you. It also gives you room to negotiate on properties that need a little work.
Sellers feel this differently. With buyers spoilt for choice, pricing and presentation now carry more weight than they used to. Homes that are priced well and look their best still sell fast. Those that don’t tend to sit around – which is exactly why good advice before putting your house on the market makes such a big difference.
Homeowners keep telling us the same thing
4.9 stars from over 14,300 Google reviews; they’re numbers worth trusting. That's not a handful of hand-picked testimonials – it's thousands of homeowners across South East London and Kent saying the same thing about the service they got. When people are choosing who to trust with one of the biggest decisions they'll make, that kind of consistency speaks louder than any sales pitch.
Want to move before Christmas?
If you're planning a move this year, the time to start is now. Getting a home ready to sell – the pricing, the presentation, the plan – takes time to get right, and the people who begin early are the ones celebrating in their new home by December.
Buyers need to move with the same urgency. Borrowing costs have settled and lenders are competing hard, so now's the time to know exactly what you can spend and be first in line when the right property comes up.
Time to get started
If you've been hearing from the news, friends and the group chat that things have gone quiet, our experience says otherwise. Borrowing costs have steadied, lenders want your business and locally we're seeing more people secure mortgages. Sales are holding strong too – people are agreeing deals and picking up keys across the RJ Group every single week. Backed by a team that stays with you at every stage, the picture is clear: this is a market that's moving.
Whether you're aiming to move before the end of the year or just want to know where you stand, now's a good time to talk to us. Click here to contact one of our offices.
Together, we make it happen.
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