An increasing number of UK homeowners are being compelled to sell their properties, as a combination of economic strain, shifting legal frameworks, and personal difficulties reshapes the housing market.
New data released by Open Property Group, a prominent professional house-buying company, offers a detailed look into the motivations and backgrounds of sellers across England. The findings provide valuable insights into who is selling, why they’re selling, and what’s driving this wave of property listings.
In a time marked by ongoing financial uncertainty and more complex landlord regulations, the company’s internal research illustrates how both homeowners and landlords are being forced to make difficult decisions.
Managing Director Jason Harris-Cohen shared:
“The company receives an average of 300 property leads per week, with a notable shift in seller motivations and property conditions over the last few years.”
The data reveals the following trends:
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Between 60–70% of sellers are live-in homeowners, while 30–40% are landlords exiting the market due to mounting tax obligations and regulatory changes.
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Most sellers fall within the 45 to 65 age range. A significant number are either preparing for retirement, downsizing, or managing major life changes such as divorce or financial hardship.
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Properties typically sell for £150,000 to £250,000, often in areas of lower market value or in a state of disrepair.
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30% of properties sold are in poor or uninhabitable condition, with owners unable to afford necessary maintenance or grappling with unresolved tenancy challenges.
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Homeowners tend to sell after 8 to 15 years of ownership, though landlords often exit sooner due to increasing operating pressures.
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Around 50–65% of sellers still have a mortgage, which often adds urgency and limits flexibility during the sale process.
Commenting further on the figures, Harris-Cohen said:
“We’re seeing a high percentage of sellers who are reacting to a combination of personal and market-driven challenges. The majority of enquiries are from individuals in financially stressful situations or landlords impacted by rising interest rates and changing legislation.”
The research also shows that 80% of those who initially express interest in selling ultimately decide not to proceed—commonly due to pricing concerns or changes in their personal circumstances. Nevertheless, Open Property Group has completed 170 property sales in the past year and over 400 in the past three years, underscoring the steady demand for rapid and dependable property sale solutions.
Most sales are concluded within 21 days, offering critical speed and certainty to those facing pressing financial or personal challenges.
The average income of sellers ranges from £25,000 to £35,000, and the demographic split is relatively balanced—55% male and 45% female. These figures provide a clear, data-backed reflection of the modern UK property seller and reinforce the growing role of alternative selling methods in today’s housing market.
More information is available via the Open Property Group website.
