October 2026 | Speights Sheffield Removals & Storage
It might be, but it depends on where you are. Zoopla’s September 2026 House Price Index shows 5% more homes for sale than a year ago and sales agreed down 9%. Mortgage rates have risen to around 5.2%, and house prices in Yorkshire and the Humber are still rising by about 1.4% a year. Whether now is a good time to move depends on your own finances, timescales and local market.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the UK housing market recently, you’d be forgiven for feeling a little confused. One headline says house prices are falling. Another says they’re rising. Interest rates are making the news again. The Government is talking about making it easier for first-time buyers to get onto the property ladder. And somewhere in Sheffield, somebody is still refreshing Rightmove seventeen times a day, wondering whether to put an offer in.
So, is it finally becoming a buyers’ market? Well, possibly. But, as with most things involving buying and selling a house, it’s not quite that straightforward.
Moving House Every 21 Years Now? What It Means for House Removals in Sheffield
What Is a Buyers' Market?
A buyers’ market happens when people looking for a home have more negotiating power than the people selling them. Usually, that means there are more properties available, fewer buyers competing for them or houses taking longer to sell.
Buyers might have more choice. Sellers might need to be more flexible on price. And that house you’ve been watching for three months might suddenly have a slightly more interesting asking price.
It doesn’t necessarily mean houses are cheap. It just means the balance between buyers and sellers has shifted. And according to some of the latest UK housing market figures, that shift is already happening in parts of the country.
There's More Choice, but Where Have All the Buyers Gone?
According to Zoopla’s September 2026 House Price Index, the number of homes available for sale is 5% higher than a year ago. Meanwhile, sales agreed are 9% lower. Rightmove has also reported that buyers have more properties to choose from than at any point in the past 12 years.
For anyone who’s spent months trying to find a suitable house, that might sound like welcome news. More choice. Less competition. Potentially more room to negotiate.
But there’s another side to it. If you’re selling your home, you might find yourself competing with considerably more properties for the attention of fewer buyers. And if you’ve already found your dream home but haven’t sold your current one? Welcome back to the wonderful world of property chains.
How Do Mortgage Rates Affect the Housing Market?
Although the Bank of England held its base rate at 3.75% in September, mortgage rates have been rising. Zoopla reported that typical mortgage rates had reached around 5.2%, compared with approximately 4% at the beginning of the year. That can make a considerable difference to monthly repayments.
So even if you manage to negotiate a lower purchase price, the cost of borrowing might still leave you paying more each month than you expected. Which explains why some buyers are holding back. Not necessarily because they don’t want to move, but because they’re waiting to see what they can realistically afford.
And nobody particularly enjoys committing to several decades of mortgage payments while the financial headlines change every other Tuesday.
What Is Andy Burnham's Your First Home Scheme for First-Time Buyers?
For somebody who’s been saving for years while watching house prices and rent swallow their disposable income, that could make a meaningful difference. But there are important details:
- The scheme is intended for eligible new-build properties from participating developers, not every house on the market.
- Income limits and local property price caps are also expected.
- As of October 2026, the full details and implementation timetable are still due to be confirmed at the Budget.
So it’s promising news for some prospective buyers. But it isn’t quite time to start packing the kitchen cupboards on the strength of a headline alone.
Are House Prices Getting Cheaper in Sheffield?
Zoopla’s latest figures show annual house price growth in Yorkshire and the Humber at approximately 1.4%, compared with 0.8% across the UK. That means prices in our region have continued to rise, even while some other parts of the country have seen weaker performance.
It also means that calling the entire UK a buyers’ market would be a bit of an oversimplification. One street might have several properties struggling to sell. Another might have buyers competing for the same house. The type of property, its condition, location and asking price all make a difference.
A buyers’ market in one area doesn’t automatically mean a bargain around every corner. Although we’re sure plenty of people would appreciate that.
What Does a Buyers' Market Mean for Sellers and Buyers?
If You’re Selling Your House
If you’re thinking about selling, the current market doesn’t necessarily mean you should abandon the idea. But it does make realistic expectations particularly important.
Buyers have more choice in many areas. They’re looking carefully at affordability. And they’re often less willing to stretch their budgets simply because a property has a lovely kitchen. Even if it really is a lovely kitchen.
Pricing your property sensibly, understanding your local market and being prepared for negotiations can all make a difference.
It’s also worth thinking ahead about what happens once you do find a buyer, because accepting an offer is only the beginning. There’s still:
- The survey
- The searches
- The solicitor enquiries
- The mortgage arrangements
- Potentially several other households who all need everything to happen in exactly the right order
We’ve written before about property chain delays and why completion dates have a remarkable habit of changing just when everyone thinks they’re settled. Unfortunately, a quieter housing market doesn’t make that uncertainty disappear, and it can affect house removals in Sheffield just as much as the sale itself.
Downsizing before you sell? Our clearance service can help you declutter before viewings.
If You’re Buying
There may be opportunities. Having more properties to choose from can give you time to compare homes properly rather than feeling pressured into making an offer before somebody else gets there first. You may also find some sellers more open to negotiation.
But don’t let the possibility of getting a better price distract you from the overall cost of moving. Mortgage repayments matter. So do surveys, legal fees, Stamp Duty where applicable, removal services in Sheffield and any work the property needs.
A house that’s £10,000 cheaper than it was three months ago might look like a brilliant deal. Until you discover the roof needs replacing. Or the mortgage repayments are higher than you’d budgeted. Or both.
Sometimes the best decision isn’t about getting the lowest price. It’s about finding a home you can comfortably afford and actually want to live in.
Don’t forget moving costs like packing too, and our professional packing service can take that job off your list.
What Does a Changing Housing Market Mean for Moving Day?
That’s why we always encourage customers to speak to their house movers in Sheffield before everything is completely finalised. At Speights, we’ve been helping people move across Sheffield, South Yorkshire and beyond since 1891. And one thing we’ve learnt is that moving dates don’t always behave themselves.
It’s also why we don’t charge for postponements and guarantee your first moving-date change without a charge. Because if your solicitor rings to say completion has been pushed back, the last thing you need is another unexpected bill simply because something outside your control has changed. You’ve probably got enough to think about already.
If your completion date moves and you need a gap between homes, our storage in Sheffield can hold your belongings until the keys change hands.
So, Is Now a Good Time to Move House?
- First-time buyers: If you have a secure income, a suitable deposit and a mortgage you can comfortably afford, having more choice could work in your favour.
- Sellers: You might need to be more realistic about pricing and how long finding a buyer could take.
- Buying and selling at the same time: You’re navigating both sides of the equation.
The current market has created opportunities for some buyers, but higher borrowing costs and uncertainty are still making decisions difficult. So rather than trying to predict exactly where house prices or interest rates will go next, focus on what works for your own finances, timescales and circumstances.
And maybe stop refreshing Rightmove quite so often. Although we appreciate that’s easier said than done.
Buyers' Market or Sellers' Market, Moving Day Still Needs a Plan
But eventually, once the surveys, solicitors and negotiations are behind you, there’s still a house full of belongings that needs moving. And that’s the bit we can help with.
If you’re planning removals in Sheffield, or looking for a house removals company covering South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and further afield, we’re always happy to talk through your options, even if you’re still waiting for dates to be confirmed.
Because whatever the housing market is doing, moving house comes with enough uncertainty already.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UK currently a buyers' market?
There are signs of buyers having more negotiating power in some parts of the UK, particularly where more homes are available and demand has slowed. However, conditions vary considerably by location and property type. Sheffield and South Yorkshire won’t necessarily follow exactly the same trends as the national market.
Are house prices falling in Sheffield?
Not across the board. Recent regional figures show that average property values in Yorkshire and the Humber have continued to rise modestly. Individual asking prices can still be reduced, though, particularly when a property has been on the market for some time.
Will mortgage interest rates come down?
Nobody can guarantee when mortgage rates will fall or rise. The Bank of England’s base rate is one influence, but lenders also consider wider borrowing costs, inflation expectations and financial market conditions. If you’re planning to buy, a qualified mortgage adviser can help you understand the options currently available.
What is Andy Burnham's new first-time buyer scheme?
The proposed Your First Home scheme is intended to help eligible first-time buyers in England purchase participating new-build homes with a smaller deposit, supported by a government-backed equity loan. Full eligibility requirements and launch details are still awaiting confirmation as of October 2026.
Should I book removal services in Sheffield before exchanging contracts?
You can certainly start planning before exchange. In fact, we’d recommend getting a removals quotation and discussing your likely moving dates early, particularly if you’re involved in a property chain. Just make sure you understand your removal company’s date-change and cancellation terms before committing.
What happens if my completion date changes?
As a removals company in Sheffield, Speights understands that completion dates sometimes change for reasons completely outside a customer’s control. We don’t charge for postponements and guarantee your first moving-date change without a charge, subject to our booking terms. If your dates change, let us know as soon as possible so we can discuss the arrangements.
