Research from Knight Frank reveals that new sales instructions in the Country market – covering a range of urban and rural markets above £750,000 outside London – have jumped by 9% since last year.
The second quarter of 2025 was the most favourable market for buyers in the Country for seven years, according to the global real estate company, with an average of 5.9 prospective buyers for every new sales instruction. At its peak during the pandemic, Country demand reached 19 potential buyers for every home.
Knight Frank attributes the rising number of sales instructions to the stock overhang from March’s stamp duty changes, buyers re-activating plans put on hold during times of political upheaval, landlords selling due to regulatory changes, and holiday homes coming to market following changes in council tax rules.
At the same time, the stamp duty changes prompted a lull in demand following the rush to complete before the deadline, leading to a 9% drop in the number of offers in Q2 compared to the same period the previous year.
‘The imbalance has increased downwards pressure on prices, which has led to more sales activity’, Knight Frank notes.
James Cleland, head of Country business at Knight Frank, said momentum is set to continue. He explained:
“Prices are correcting and as a result activity is noticeably picking up. June was busy, and a number of deals were agreed in all price brackets, which means the next few months look even better for exchanges. It’s all about pricing. If you get it right, buyers pounce but if you get it wrong, not a lot happens.”
Sale prices were on average 94% of the initial asking price in Q2, which compares to 97.3% this time last year and 99.7% in Q2 2022.
“It’s quite clear where the negotiating power sits at the moment,” Knight Frank concluded.
