The autumn property market is underway and, across Surrey, there are encouraging signs of activity returning after the summer.
Buyers are searching, mortgage lending has increased significantly and demand within the rental market remains strong. But this is also a market where price, preparation and good advice matter.
For sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants, here is our latest look at what is happening across the property market as we head further into autumn 2026.
Surrey sales market: active, but price sensitive
The clearest way to describe the current sales market is active, but price sensitive. Buyers are out there, but they have more choice than they have had for several years and are taking longer to make decisions. That means they can afford to be increasingly selective about the properties they view and the prices they are prepared to pay. There are encouraging signs, however, that activity is beginning to gather pace.
The latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors showed that new buyer enquiries improved for the fifth consecutive month in August, reaching their strongest reading since January. Although the measure remained in negative territory nationally, the direction of travel has steadily improved. Read the latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey
September has brought further evidence of buyers returning to the market. Rightmove reported that buyer demand increased by 5% during the first week of September, considerably ahead of the average 0.4% increase recorded at the same point over the previous five years. Read Rightmove’s September buyer demand update
For anyone considering selling a property in Surrey this autumn, that is positive news. But attracting a buyer and agreeing a sale are two different things.
Getting the asking price right matters
One of the defining features of the current market is the amount of property available to buyers. Rightmove reports that the number of homes for sale nationally is at a 12-year high for this time of year. More choice inevitably means more competition between sellers. Explore the latest Rightmove House Price Index
That makes presentation and marketing important, but it makes the initial asking price particularly important. The South East remains more price sensitive than several other parts of the country. Rightmove’s September House Price Index recorded average South East asking prices 1.8% below September 2025 levels, despite a modest 0.3% monthly increase. The average time to find a buyer in the region was 72 days.
What we are seeing on the ground reflects that wider picture. Correctly priced homes can still attract good levels of interest and agree sales, while properties launched above where buyers perceive the market to be can find themselves making reductions before serious interest develops. The difference is increasingly less about whether there are buyers and more about whether a property gives those buyers a compelling reason to act.
For sellers, the objective should be to create interest from the moment the property enters the market, rather than starting too high and chasing the market afterwards. If you are considering a sale, a local valuation can help you understand both the likely value of your property and the level of current buyer demand in your area. Book a Curchods property valuation
What is happening with mortgages?
The mortgage market provides another interesting part of the picture. The Bank of England Base Rate has remained at 3.75% throughout 2026 so far, having last changed in December 2025. It was held at 3.75% again following the Monetary Policy Committee’s September meeting. See the latest Bank of England interest rate decision
However, a stable Base Rate does not mean mortgage rates remain unchanged. Individual lenders continually adjust their products according to funding costs, market expectations and their appetite for new business. As a result, the lender offering one of the most competitive options one week may not necessarily be doing so a few weeks later. That makes an early conversation with a mortgage adviser particularly valuable.
Ideally, buyers should understand their borrowing position before they begin seriously viewing homes. Sellers who will also be buying may benefit from doing the same before placing their own property on the market. It means that when the right home does appear, they are in a better position to move quickly.
Mortgage lending is rising
Despite some of the uncertainty surrounding rates, there is evidence that lenders remain willing to lend. The Bank of England reported that the value of gross mortgage advances reached £77.4 billion during the second quarter of 2026. That was an increase of 11.1% compared with the previous quarter and 31.7% compared with Q2 2025. Read the Bank of England’s Q2 2026 mortgage lending statistics
The range of options available to first-time buyers is also continuing to evolve. Depending on individual circumstances and lender criteria, products now include high loan-to-value mortgages and options designed to allow family members or other supporters to help with affordability. These are just a few examples from an ever-growing and evolving area of the mortgage market, where other FTB schemes are available and may better suit your personal circumstances.
The important point is that buyers should not assume the mortgage market looks the same as it did last year, or even a few months ago. Finding out what is available early in your search can help determine your budget and put you in a stronger position when you find the right property. Curchods Mortgage Services can look across the market and discuss the options available based on individual circumstances. Find out more about buying and Curchods Mortgage Services
What is happening in the Surrey rental market?
The rental market has remained remarkably resilient through what has been one of the biggest periods of change for the sector in a generation. Since 1 May, we have seen the number of applicants registering per new rental property increase across Curchods, helping to support both activity levels and rental values for landlords.
Average rents have increased by 15.6%, while the number of properties let has increased by 13.6% against the same period last year (May-August). As we move into autumn, there continues to be a strong opportunity for landlords with well-presented properties who work closely with an experienced and well-informed agent. Understanding the latest legislative changes, setting the right rental value and preparing a property properly for the market can all help landlords maximise their rental returns.
For tenants, the other side of that demand is a competitive market. Registering with agents early in your search, and making sure you are ready to move when the right property becomes available, can give you the best chance of securing the home you want. If you are a landlord or tenant looking to let or rent a property in Surrey this autumn, contact your local Curchods office to discuss the market in your area.
Landlords considering letting a property can also find more information about our lettings and property management services. Letting your property with Curchods
So, is autumn 2026 a good time to move?
There is rarely a single answer to that question. What the latest figures do show is that the property market is moving. Buyer activity has improved as we enter autumn. Mortgage lenders are continuing to lend. Rental demand remains strong. At the same time, buyers have plenty of choice and the South East remains particularly sensitive to price. For sellers, that makes getting the asking price right from day one particularly important.
For buyers, having your finances organised early can put you in a stronger position when the right home comes onto the market. And for landlords, continued rental demand means there are still opportunities, provided properties are priced appropriately and managed in line with an increasingly complex regulatory environment. The headlines rarely tell the whole story. Property markets can vary significantly from one town, road or price range to another, particularly across a diverse county such as Surrey. If you are considering buying a home, selling a property or letting a property this autumn, speaking to someone who understands your local market is the best place to start.
