A new year has a funny way of making us take stock. We look at where we are, what’s changed, and what we might want life to look like next. For many homeowners across Lancaster and Morecambe, moving home sits quietly on that list of “one day” plans.
What’s interesting is that you’re far from alone. Around one in five UK homeowners wanted to move at some point over the last two years but didn’t go ahead. For most, it wasn’t a lack of desire — it was uncertainty. Rising interest rates, changing prices, and a market that felt hard to read meant many people chose to pause rather than push ahead.
As we step into early 2026, that pause is starting to lift.
Over the last few months, we’ve seen buyer affordability improve, interest rates ease, and — crucially — more homes coming to market. In fact, choice for buyers is now at its highest level in a decade. That’s creating something the property market thrives on: clearer expectations on both sides.
Here in Lancaster and Morecambe, that balance is becoming easier to spot. Sellers are pricing more realistically, buyers are more informed, and conversations feel calmer and more confident than they did even a year ago. Homes that are sensibly priced and well presented are still attracting good levels of interest, while buyers appreciate having time and options rather than feeling rushed.
For some, moving in 2026 might be about upsizing — an extra bedroom, a garden that finally fits family life, or being closer to schools. For others, it’s the opposite: downsizing, simplifying, or moving closer to the coast or city centre. We’re also speaking to people who simply want a change of pace or a home that better suits how they live now, not how they lived ten years ago.
If moving has been sitting on your “maybe one day” list, this year could be the one where intention turns into action. Not because the market is perfect — it never is — but because it’s clearer, steadier, and easier to navigate with the right advice.
Even if you’re not ready to move just yet, understanding where you stand is a helpful first step. Knowing what your home could achieve today, what’s selling locally, and what your next move might realistically look like can turn a big, overwhelming idea into something far more manageable.
And sometimes, that’s all it takes to make 2026 the year you move.
Thinking of moving? Can we chat? You can call us on 01524 843322 or email me at michelle@jdg.co.uk
Thanks for reading
Michelle x