Buyer demand rose 5% in September's first week, far outpacing the five-year seasonal average
The UK’s largest property platform Rightmove recorded a stronger than usual back-to-school return this September. Buyer activity rebounded as home-movers resumed their searches after the summer break. The 5% weekly uplift was more than twelve times the 0.4% average seen over the same period in the last five years.
The uplift narrowed the gap with last year. Demand had been running 14% below 2025’s level at the end of August. By the close of September’s first week, that gap had closed to 9%.
What does the buyer demand bounce mean for brokers?
The recovery is broad-based. Every region of Great Britain posted an increase, with London leading at +9% and the South West close behind at +8%. The West Midlands and North East both saw gains of around 7%. The East Midlands and South East each recorded 6%.
| Region | Buyer demand uplift |
|---|---|
| London | +9% |
| South West | +8% |
| West Midlands | +7% |
| North East | +7% |
| East Midlands | +6% |
| South East | +6% |
| UK (average) | +5% |
| East of England | +5% |
| North West | +4% |
| Wales | +3% |
| Scotland | +1% |
Source: Rightmove September 2026
Hollie Whittaker, founder of Block & Brick, said the shift is visible on the ground. “We’re definitely seeing signs of increased buyer activity as people settle back into their usual routines after the summer holidays,” she said. “Viewing requests have started to pick up, and we’re seeing more buyers actively continuing their search for their next home now the kids are back at school.”
Whittaker added that online engagement is also climbing. “We’re seeing daily online views increase across our properties, which is a positive sign that buyers are re-engaging with the market. After a quieter summer period, it’s encouraging to see momentum beginning to build again.”
For brokers tracking purchase enquiries, this is the window where client-led conversations move from strategy to commitment. Early re-engagement with buyers who stalled over summer is worth prioritising now.
Why is buyer demand still below last year’s level?
Despite the September uplift, the broader context remains one of subdued activity. Demand has faced persistent headwinds in 2026: economic uncertainty, geopolitical pressures, and extended hot weather spells that disrupted home-moving earlier in the year.
Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert, described the September figure as a welcome but cautious signal. “The start of September is often a busy time for the housing market as families return from summer breaks and refocus on their moving plans,” she said. “This year we’ve seen buyer demand rise by 5% during the first week of September, compared with an average increase of just 0.4% over the same period during the last five years.”
Babcock cautioned that demand remains below last year’s level. She described the September uplift as a welcome sign given the summer’s challenges like holiday disruption compounded by repeated spells of exceptional heat. Babcock also said that it was still early in the month, and the data would be watched closely in the weeks ahead.
The autumn window is typically the last sustained period of purchase activity before momentum softens into winter.
What should brokers do as autumn buyer demand picks up?
The regional data gives brokers a clear steer on where enquiry volumes are likely to be strongest. London and the South West are the standout performers. The West Midlands and North East figures suggest demand is spreading well beyond the capital.
Clients who put purchase plans on hold during summer are now re-engaging. Reaching out proactively to those who were mid-process in July or August is a direct response to where the market is heading.
Brokers managing clients approaching the end of fixed-rate deals should also note the pipeline signal. Seasonal recoveries often prompt lender rate activity. Brokers with clients approaching a remortgage decision ahead of fixed-rate maturity are well placed to convert enquiries before winter slows activity.
September’s buyer demand data is the clearest positive signal of 2026 so far, and the window to act on it is now.
