Are you thinking about moving home in Lancaster over the next 6 to 12 months?
Perhaps you’re a landlord wondering whether to expand your portfolio or sell. Or maybe you’re a first-time buyer deciding if now is the right moment to take the plunge.
Whichever side of the fence you’re on, understanding whether it’s currently a buyers’ or sellers’ market is key to making the right decision.
If you follow my regular Lancaster market updates, you’ll know one of the most reliable indicators is the percentage of homes marked “Sold STC” or “Under Offer” compared to the total number of properties on the market.
Think of it like a barometer for our local housing market.
For example, if there are 400 homes on the market and 100 are marked as sold or under offer, that’s 25%. This percentage tells us how strong demand is and who currently has the upper hand — buyers or sellers.
Here’s how we interpret those figures:
- 0%–20%: Extreme Buyers’ Market
- 21%–29%: Buyers’ Market
- 30%–40%: Balanced Market
- 41%–49%: Sellers’ Market
- 50%–59%: Hot Sellers’ Market
- 60%+: Extreme Sellers’ Market
What the Lancaster Data Shows
The graph below tracks Lancaster’s market from January to August 2025 and clearly highlights how stable things have been this year.
Across those eight months, the percentage of homes under offer or sold has hovered consistently between 34% and 36%, keeping Lancaster firmly in balanced market territory.
Here’s how it’s looked month by month:
- January – 35%
- February – 34%
- March – 35%
- April – 35%
- May – 34%
- June – 34%
- July – 36%
- August – 35%
When you look at the visual, you can see there’s been very little fluctuation — a clear sign of a steady, well-grounded local market.
For context, these figures are drawn from The Advisory, a long-established property data source that monitors market balance across the UK. In Lancaster, this consistent 34–36% range means the market has been remarkably stable — not overheating, but not cooling either.
Even when you break it down further, there’s an interesting local twist:
- LA1 sits at around 40%, leaning slightly towards a sellers’ market.
- LA2 comes in closer to 30%, favouring buyers a little more.
It’s a great reminder that not all parts of Lancaster move at the same pace.
What This Means for Lancaster Sellers
In a balanced market, presentation, pricing and patience matter more than ever. Buyers now have more choice, which means simply listing your home and hoping for the best isn’t enough.
The homes that sell are the ones launched with the right price from day one — supported by strong marketing, great photography, detailed floor plans, and video tours. Overpricing can stall your sale quickly. A property that lingers tends to lose momentum, attract lower offers, and in some cases, fall through before exchange.
Launching correctly from the start is key.
The encouraging news is that recent interest rate cuts are helping the market. Lower monthly payments are drawing more first-time buyers into the mix, while movers can access better fixed-rate deals. This helps strengthen buying chains and brings more homes onto the market.
Mortgage rates are looking much more attractive too — with two-year fixed deals now dipping below 3.75% for those with a 60% deposit and around 4.78% for first-time buyers with a 5% deposit. That’s a notable improvement on where we were a year ago.
The message for sellers is simple: there are buyers out there, but they are price-savvy and doing their research. Getting your pricing and presentation spot on will make all the difference.
What This Means for Lancaster Buyers
For buyers, this market offers breathing space. Gone are the frantic bidding wars of 2021 and 2022. You now have time to view, compare and make considered decisions.
That said, the best homes are still attracting strong interest — especially those that are well presented and realistically priced. Having your mortgage agreement in principle ready before you start making offers will set you apart from other buyers and show sellers that you’re serious.
Also, don’t rule out exploring slightly less obvious postcodes. There’s real value to be found just beyond the main hotspots — especially in parts of LA2 and the surrounding villages.
The Bigger Picture
While inflation has ticked up slightly, meaning we shouldn’t expect a flurry of further rate cuts, the property market in Lancaster remains steady and confident.
Across the UK, around half of homes listed for sale actually go on to complete — and in Lancaster, the numbers are slightly better thanks to realistic pricing and committed buyers.
The days of the “crazy years” of 2020 and 2021 may be behind us, but that’s not a bad thing. We’ve moved into a more grounded market — one where sensible pricing and quality marketing win every time.
Final Thoughts
Lancaster’s property market today sits comfortably in balance. Neither buyers nor sellers have the upper hand, which means both sides need to work smartly. For sellers, that means pricing right and presenting beautifully. For buyers, it’s about being ready to move when the right property appears.
If you’re thinking about moving in the next six months, or you’d just like to chat through your options, let’s talk. I’m always happy to share local insight and help you understand how these numbers might affect your next move.
My names is Michelle Gallagher. I’ve been an estate agent in Lancaster for over 24 years. You can call me on 01524 843322 or email me at michelle@jdg.co.uk.
Thanks for reading
Michelle
