Market Insights July 2026

Please see our July Market Insights below, sharing the trends shaping prime central London property this month.

As always, the team and I would be delighted to answer any questions or discuss the market in more detail. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Best wishes

Jo Eccles

Founder and Managing Director, Eccord

+44 (0) 20 7244 4482

jo.eccles@eccord.com

LinkedIn | Instagram

Buyers being caught out by competitive pricing

Competitive pricing remains essential in the current market. Overpriced properties are languishing for months or years in some cases, but those which are well priced are attracting multiple buyers and going to competitive bids in many cases.

Buyers are seeking long term homes and value is a priority, but they are regularly demonstrating that they will pay fair value for a good property. The opportunity isn’t always recognised in time though – buyers might be early in their search and lack context, or they’re not knowledgeable enough about current pricing.

We’ve seen various instances where buyers have revisited a property weeks (or months) after their initial viewing, only to find themselves in competition with those who recognised the opportunity and acted earlier. Buyers who have been under offer but dragging their heels also face the risk of being gazumped, which some have experienced.

This is taking buyers by surprise. Many are expecting to hold all the cards, and we are reminding our own clients that this is a very nuanced market to navigate, requiring industry relationships, market context and emotional tact on all sides to achieve the best outcomes.

Political uncertainty becomes the new normal

Whilst some buyers will sit on the sidelines waiting for new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to reveal his plans, others are committing where genuine good value is presented. Rather than trying to second guess policy announcements – with early rumours of stamp duty being scrapped already dismissed by the new PM – many have accepted that uncertainty has become a permanent feature of the market.

Fatigued sellers are more willing to tolerate a loss in order to sell, repossessions are on the rise, and almost every property we’re viewing for clients has been discounted at least once - often twice or more. The market remains incredibly complex and difficult to read but for well-prepared, credible buyers targeting the right opportunities, this remains one of the strongest negotiating environments we’ve seen.

As we head into the traditionally quieter summer weeks, the gap left by domestic buyers on holiday is being filled by Americans combining vacations in London with property searches. Many are in London for just three to five days, in order to view and choose a property, before going on to enjoy other destinations in Europe.

Politics will no doubt continue to dominate the headlines throughout the summer and autumn, particularly in the run up to the autumn Budget, but for an increasing proportion of buyers, the focus is firmly on committing to long term plans and achieving long term value.

UHNWs own more homes

Recent data shows that ultra-high-net-worth individuals now own an average of 3.7 homes across the world, up from 2.8 in 2018, reflecting growing demand for increasingly mobile international lifestyles, and the set up required to support it.

Approximately 70% of our clients own at least two or three properties and increasingly they – and their family offices at the super prime level – are seeking a hassle-free ownership experience. The biggest challenge they face is finding trusted individuals on the ground who can professionally look after their homes to ensure they are meticulously maintained, secure and ready for use at short notice.

As a result, demand for our Home Management services has more than doubled over the past two years, as clients – whether they live in the property full time, or part time – rely on our expertise and connections with trusted contractors to ensure their property is proactively maintained, secure and compliant with insurance obligations with regular walk-through inspections. Increasingly, that role extends well beyond the property itself.

We now also manage a growing array of lifestyle responsibilities, from initial home set-up for a new property purchase including linen and plug adaptors, to setting up dry cleaning services, taking delivery of groceries ahead of arrival, scanning post and paying all household bills, cementing our role as our clients’ trusted resource on the ground in London.

To find out more or speak to our team: https://eccord.com/property-management/home-management/ 

If you can’t sell – rent?

For homeowners and landlords who can’t sell at the price they want and are in a position to wait, we are seeing more turning (or returning) to the rental market as an alternative. 

With many previous landlords having terminated tenancies and exited the market ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA), which was introduced in May this year, the volume of rental stock available has been reduced. At the same time, tenant demand remains strong as there are now fewer available properties to rent and we’re also seeing a growing number of would-be-buyers opting to rent, instead of buy, to avoid stamp duty.

As a result, some sellers are capitalising on this – particularly those whose property would rent above the £1,923 p/w Renters’ Rights threshold and can enter into fixed term tenancies without the new Renters’ Rights Act restrictions applying.

Our rental and property management team have increasingly been working with owners who are exploring this route as an alternative to selling, helping them understand and maximise realistic rental yields and meet their landlord obligations with peace of mind.

For landlords whose properties do fall within the Renters’ Rights threshold, there is now opportunity to increase rents on an annual basis in line with market rates. Previously many rent increases were inflation linked to RPI which limited their growth in some cases, but yields can now be based on market levels and we are helping landlords maximise their returns.

Join me at the FT Festival

I’m delighted to have been invited as a guest speaker on the property panel at this year’s Financial Times ‘FT Festival’ on 5th September set in the gardens of Kenwood House in Hampstead.

Alongside the House & Home editor, my fellow panellists and I will explore how to sell in a sluggish market alongside practical advice for buyers. I’ll be sharing insights from a buyer’s perspective on pricing and negotiation strategies, what buyers are really looking for and the steps that can make the difference to a transaction successfully getting over the line.

The property panel is at 1pm and if you’re planning to attend, I would love to see you there.

The day event includes a packed programme of interviews, debates, tastings, book signings, performances across ten stages. FT editors and journalists will be hosting conversations with leading thinkers, business leaders, policymakers, writers, actors, chefs, designers, influencers and cultural voices as they explore the issues, trends and ideas shaping our world. 

For more information: FT Weekend Live