Buyer demand rises 5% as September market activity picks up: Rightmove

Buyer demand rose by 5% during the first week of September as home movers returned to the market following the summer holidays, according to new data from Rightmove.

The increase was significantly higher than the average 0.4% uplift recorded during the same period over the past five years.

Despite the stronger start to September, overall buyer demand remains below 2025 levels. However, the gap narrowed from 14% below last year's level at the end of August to 9% below during the first week of September.

Rightmove's data showed buyer activity increased across every region of Great Britain during the week.

London recorded the largest rise at 9%, followed by the South West at 8%. Buyer demand increased by 7% in both the West Midlands and North East, while the East Midlands and South East recorded increases of 6%.

The East of England matched the overall 5% increase, followed by the North West at 4%, Wales at 3% and Scotland at 1%.

Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, said: "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. 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.

"While buyer demand remains below last year's level, this year's back-to-school bounce is a welcome sign after a summer that brought the usual holiday distractions alongside several spells of exceptionally hot weather. It's encouraging to see buyers getting on with their moving plans and returning to the market as we head into the autumn season. However, it is still early in the month, we will be keeping an eye on this over the coming weeks."

Hollie Whittaker, founder of Block & Brick, said: "We're definitely seeing signs of increased buyer activity as people settle back into their usual routines after the summer holidays. 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.

"We're also 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, and we expect buyer activity to continue strengthening as we move further into September."