If you are a homeowner in Lancaster and thinking of selling, there’s something you really need to know. It’s not always comfortable to hear, but it’s important if you want to move.
There is a growing gap between the price many Lancaster sellers are asking for their homes and the price buyers are actually paying. Month after month, the figures show the same pattern.
So far in 2025, the average asking price for a Lancaster home has been £282,900. Yet the average price achieved on completion is £265,400. That’s a 6.6% difference.
Now, this doesn’t mean Lancaster house prices are falling. What it means is that homes priced at the very top end often struggle. They linger, get reduced, and sometimes withdraw unsold. Meanwhile, sensibly priced homes are finding buyers more quickly.
A Look Back at the Numbers
Since 2020, we’ve been tracking this pricing gap closely.
- In 2020, the difference was 3.7% (average asking £235,100 vs selling £226,700).
- In 2021, it narrowed to just 2.0%.
- In 2022, it widened to almost 10%.
- By 2023, it reached 14.4%.
- In 2024, it dropped back to 5.2%.
- Now in 2025, it’s just over 6%.
These figures cover Lancaster’s LA1 and LA2 postcodes. They show that the gap has become a consistent feature of our local market.
Why Higher-Priced Homes Struggle More
The truth is simple. The higher the price bracket, the lower the odds of selling. That doesn’t mean expensive homes won’t sell — they absolutely do. But to succeed, the presentation, the marketing, and most importantly, the pricing must be spot on.
Over the past five years, the average asking price of a Lancaster property has been £257,000.
- Homes listed below that figure had a 62.3% chance of selling and completing.
- Homes listed above it had only a 53.1% chance.
That’s a clear difference — and it shows why overpricing can cost you time, money, and ultimately, your move.
The Importance of Getting the Price Right First Time
Here’s another figure that really matters. Homes that find a buyer within the first 25 days of being on the market have a 94% chance of reaching completion. In contrast, homes that sit for 100 days or more before a sale is agreed only have a 56% chance.
In plain terms: if you get your price right at the start, you’re far more likely to sell and move. If your home lingers, you risk reductions, frustration, and a much lower chance of moving at all.
What This Means for You
If you’re thinking of selling your Lancaster home this year, here are three key points to keep in mind:
- Don’t just look at asking prices. Look at what is actually selling, and how quickly.
- Be realistic about your timeline. If you want to move within months, price to the market, not to wishful thinking.
- Higher-value homes must shine. Presentation, photography, and pricing all need to work together to attract the right buyers.
The Bottom Line
Many homes listed in Lancaster this year won’t sell. Not because they are poor homes, or because the market is broken. But because they are priced for a market that doesn’t exist anymore.
If your home sits at the higher end of its range, choose an agent who can explain the numbers clearly, back up their advice with real evidence, and be honest with you from day one.
Because in the end, the homes that move aren’t the ones with the most ambitious asking prices. They’re the ones priced realistically, marketed properly, and given the very best chance of success.
Are you thinking of moving? If so can we talk? At JDG we are here to help. You can call us on 01524 843322 or email me at michelle@jdg.co.uk
Thanks for reading
Michelle
