Buyer demand slips in Q2 as northern markets outperform south
eXp UK found buyer demand in England fell by 1.1% in Q2 2026, with counties in the North and Midlands continuing to outperform many southern markets.
Homebuyer demand in England fell by 1.1% in Q2 2026, according to the latest sales demand data from eXp UK.
The estate agency analysed buyer demand across each county in England, based on the number of homes listed for sale that had already had an offer agreed, before comparing the figures with the previous quarter and the same period last year.
The research found overall sales demand across England stood at 41.2% in Q2. This was down 1.1% on Q1 2026 and 1.2% lower than the same period last year.
eXp UK said the figures showed a continued regional divide, with a number of counties in the North and Midlands recording positive demand growth while many southern markets weakened.
The largest quarterly increase was recorded in the East Riding of Yorkshire, where demand rose by 3.1% to 41.2%. This was followed by Lancashire at 0.7%, City of London at 0.7%, Greater Manchester at 0.5% and Northumberland at 0.5%.
Tyne and Wear and Merseyside also recorded quarterly increases, rising by 0.5% and 0.4% respectively.
The largest quarterly drops were recorded in Dorset, where demand fell by 4.0%, followed by City of Bristol at 2.6%, Surrey at 2.6%, Rutland at 2.5% and Northamptonshire at 2.4%.
On an annual basis, East Riding of Yorkshire also recorded the strongest increase, with demand up 3.6% to 41.2%. Merseyside followed at 2.3%, Lancashire at 1.9%, Derbyshire at 1.1% and Tyne and Wear at 1.0%.
The largest annual falls were recorded in Cambridgeshire, down 4.5%, Bedfordshire, down 4.4%, City of London, down 4.4%, Oxfordshire, down 3.9%, and Hertfordshire, down 3.6%.
The highest level of buyer demand in England was recorded in City of Bristol, at 53.8%, followed by Tyne and Wear at 53.7%, South Yorkshire at 51.4%, Greater Manchester at 49.6% and Merseyside at 49.5%.
Buyer appetite was weakest in City of London, at 14.8%, followed by the Isle of Wight at 26.0% and Cornwall at 29.7%.
Adam Day, head of eXp UK and Europe, said: “The latest figures suggest that buyer demand remains relatively stable despite a modest quarterly decline at the national level.
“What continues to stand out is the resilience being shown by many markets across the North and Midlands, where affordability remains comparatively stronger and buyer activity has generally held up better.
“At the same time, many southern counties continue to face greater affordability pressures, which can have a more pronounced impact on purchasing decisions and transaction volumes.
“As a result, we’re seeing a market where regional performance varies considerably depending on local market conditions.
“The fact that demand remains above 50% in areas such as Bristol, Tyne and Wear and South Yorkshire demonstrates that committed buyers are still active, even against a backdrop of wider economic uncertainty.
“Rather than a broad-based slowdown, the market continues to show signs of regional rebalancing, with local affordability and buyer confidence playing an increasingly important role in shaping demand.”
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