Sellers warned ‘don’t ask too much’ as almost half of properties fail to sell

Nearly half (44%) of UK homes listed on the property market in the past three years have failed to sell, research from a property website indicates.

A survey of more than 2,000 people across the UK who had listed their home in the past three years found that, among those whose properties did not sell, more than a third (34%) said, with hindsight, the price they had set was too high, despite believing at the outset that it was fair.

Among those who did sell, 53% had to cut their asking price to attract a buyer.

Zoopla said that, according to its own data, the average home sold for 3.5% below the asking price in the first quarter of 2026 – equivalent to £18,800 below the original amount the property was advertised at.

The survey, carried out by Mortar Research in March, also found that more than six out of 10 (61%) sellers viewed other properties before getting a valuation of their own home.

Nearly a third (32%) put in an offer on another home before they understood the value of their own property.

As a result, more than one in five (21%) set their asking price based on what they needed for their next home, rather than what their own home was worth on the open market.

Published: 13/05/2026 by Radio NewsHub