Nervous sellers are rushing to list their homes before the upcoming general election, hoping to avoid a potential post-election lull and cash in on the current hot market.

New data from Home Sale Pack reveals a 22.9% surge in new property listings across Britain in just the last two weeks compared to the start of the year. This suggests sellers are eager to get ahead of the game before any potential market shift caused by the election results on July 4th.

The total number of homes up for grabs across Britain currently stands at 810,353 – a significant jump of 22.3% compared to January 2024.

Where are the most homes being listed?

Every region in Britain is experiencing this upward trend, but some areas are seeing a more dramatic increase in new listings:

• Scotland takes the lead with a staggering 36.4% increase in new listings in the last two weeks compared to January.
• The South West follows closely behind with a 32.2% rise.
• Wales (29%), the South East (24%), and London (23%) are also witnessing a significant influx of new properties hitting the market.

In terms of sheer volume, the South East and London take the crown:

• The South East has seen a staggering 17,521 new listings in the past fortnight.
• London follows closely with 13,821 new properties listed in the same timeframe.

Even the North East, which saw the smallest increase, still recorded a notable 12.6% rise in new listings compared to the beginning of the year.

Why the rush?

Experts believe sellers are trying to capitalise on the current market stability before the election throws any potential curveballs.

Ruth Beeton, co-founder of Home Sale Pack, explains: “Summer is usually a busy time for the property market, and with the recent return to stability after a quieter period, this summer looks promising for both buyers and sellers.”

However, she acknowledges the election’s potential impact: “While the election isn’t expected to drastically disrupt the market, some buyers might be holding back, hoping for post-election incentives, like changes to stamp duty.”

This anticipated post-election surge in buyer activity is precisely why sellers are rushing to list their homes now.

Beeton advises: “It’s a smart move for sellers to prepare early. Any increase in market activity often leads to delays, particularly in the conveyancing process. Getting a head start now is the best way to avoid unnecessary hold-ups.”