The first quarter of 2025 has brought renewed energy to the UK residential property market. The latest TwentyCi Property & Homemover Report offers a comprehensive view of this resurgence, revealing higher transaction volumes, a shift in buyer demographics, and increased market fluidity – all promising signs for movers, businesses, and property professionals alike.
At Doree Bonner International, we watch these market movements closely to help clients navigate their relocations with confidence. In this article, we explore key insights from the Q1 2025 report and what they mean for individuals, families, and companies preparing for a move.
A Buoyant Start: Record Sales and New Listings
One of the most encouraging takeaways from the report is the 9.3% increase in sales agreed compared to Q1 2024, totalling 326,000 transactions across the UK. This growth was supported by a 3.7% rise in new property instructions, reaching over 451,000, the highest quarterly total in seven years.
Exchanges rose by a remarkable 24% year-on-year, attributed in part to buyers expediting purchases ahead of changes to Stamp Duty thresholds on 1 April 2025. While this policy shift also led to a spike in sales falling through (up 24%), it signals a high level of market activity and consumer intent.
The market appears to be returning to a “normal” level of fluidity after the uncertainty of recent years, giving both buyers and sellers more confidence in moving forward with their plans.
Detached Properties in Demand
Detached homes were especially popular in early 2025, accounting for nearly 24% of all moves, up from 22.1% a year earlier. This reflects a trend towards larger homes and suburban or rural living, as more buyers seek space, privacy, and flexibility, especially older movers and remote-working professionals.
The East Midlands and North West saw the strongest growth in sales agreed (both at 14%), followed by Wales and the East of England. In terms of cities, Manchester led the way with a 16% increase in sales, followed by Newcastle (13%) and Cardiff (12%).
Who’s Moving? The Rise of the Affluent and Older Demographics
The profile of homemovers is shifting. People aged 45 and over accounted for 42% of all homemovers in Q1 2025, up from 37% a year earlier. Pensioners now represent almost 25% of all moves. Additionally, households earning more than £70,000 make up 31% of all homemovers, up from 26% in 2024.
These shifts suggest that older, financially secure buyers are driving much of the activity. Many are downsizing, relocating for lifestyle reasons, or investing in properties that support multi-generational living. This trend has implications for estate agents, developers, and service providers like us who support complex, high-value moves.
A Closer Look at the Rental Market
While the sales market is strengthening, the private rental sector is under growing strain. Rental availability is down 16% compared to Q1 2024, and 15.6% of new listings in Q1 2025 were previously rental properties, up from just 9.8% last year.
This is in part due to landlords exiting the sector amid increasing costs and tighter regulations. For tenants, this means fewer options and rising rents (now averaging £1,767 per month nationally). For homeowners, however, it could push more people toward buying, fuelling continued momentum in the sales market.
Impact of Stamp Duty and Lending Trends
The temporary Stamp Duty relief introduced in 2022 ended on 31 March 2025, prompting a last-minute rush in completions. As a result, fall-throughs, withdrawals, and price reductions increased in March 2025.
Despite concerns about a post-incentive slowdown, analysts expect interest rate cuts and strong buyer appetite to maintain a healthy level of activity. However, affordability remains a concern. Relaxation of lending caps (e.g. the 4.5x income multiple rule) could play a pivotal role in shaping the rest of the year’s housing landscape.
What It All Means for Movers
If you’re planning a move in 2025, whether for personal, professional, or lifestyle reasons, the current market presents a unique window of opportunity:
- Increased stock availability means more choice.
- Faster exchanges show smoother transaction processes.
- Rising buyer demand suggests now is a good time to act.
But with market activity at a high, it’s never been more important to choose a removals and storage partner you can trust.
How Doree Bonner Can Help
Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, relocating for work, or coordinating a complex international move, Doree Bonner International is here to support you every step of the way.
With over 100 years of experience, we specialise in:
- Professional packing and unpacking services for everything from family heirlooms to office equipment
- Domestic and international removals tailored to your timeline and destination
- Flexible, volume-based storage solutions so you only pay for the space you use
- Specialist relocation services for older homeowners, office relocations, and high-value items
We’re proud to work closely with clients at all life stages and income levels, providing a personalised service that takes the stress out of moving.
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Download the full Q1 2025 Property & Homemover Report by TwentyCi.
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