Some 37% of homes currently listed for sale across England have had their asking prices reduced, according to research by Benham and Reeves.
The estate agency analysed current for-sale listings nationwide, examining how many properties had undergone a price reduction and when those reductions were made.
The analysis shows there are 337,071 homes currently on the market across England, with 125,216 of them having seen an asking price cut.
Regionally, the South East has the highest proportion of reduced-price properties, with 39% of listings discounted. This is followed by the South West at 38.9%, the East of England at 38.4%, and London at 37.9%.
Of the 125,216 homes that have seen an asking price reduction, 1,003 were first listed during the first seven days of 2026.
Marc von Grundherr, director of Benham and Reeves, commented: “2025 was a steady but subdued year for the property market and, as a result, many sellers will have experienced little to no buyer interest, particularly across the more inflated regions of the South and London. So, it’s only natural that a sizeable proportion have resorted to reducing their asking price expectations in order to secure a sale and, as a result, there remains a strong opportunity for buyers to find a discounted property today.
“However, we’re already seeing early signs that the tide is beginning to turn. With Autumn Budget uncertainty now firmly behind us, both buyers and sellers have re-entered the market with renewed confidence and those vendors who have listed their home during the opening days of 2026 have been far less willing to budge on price.
“It’s still very early days, but with buyer affordability receiving a boost following the December interest rate cut, we expect sellers to hold their nerve over the coming months as market conditions continue to improve. Therefore, buyers hoping to secure a January bargain would be wise to act quickly before these opportunities begin to dry up.”
