If you are looking to sell a property, you might be wondering whether to take the plunge and list now or wait a few more weeks until the next base rate announcement to see if a further interest rate cut becomes a reality and stimulates the market further.
It’s hoped that at least one more cut will be forthcoming before the end of the year, as originally anticipated earlier in 2025. However, whether it comes at the next meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee on 6 November remains to be seen and some even doubt that it could happen at the December meeting.
At the last announcement in September, the MPC voted 7-2 to maintain the base rate at 4%, once again warning that a “gradual and careful approach to the further withdrawal of monetary policy restraint remains appropriate”. Nervousness around high inflation, which stayed at 3.8% in the 12 months to August 2025, persists. More recent reports this month from those close to the MPC suggest that interest rates should remain higher for longer until inflation is brought under control.
A rate cut unlikely to have much impact
So what does that mean for you as a seller wondering when the best time to list is? The reality is that the interest rate decision is unlikely to have much of an impact on immediate buyer confidence. Its effect on mortgage rates is also unlikely to be significant. Rightmove’s Mortgage Tracker shows that the average two-year fixed mortgage rate has only reduced marginally, from 5.03% to 4.52%, since the first Bank Rate cut for four years in August 2024.
Instead, the concern for many is what measures Chancellor Rachel Reeves might introduce in the autumn budget on November 26.
High demand means asking prices have risen again
As it stands, buyer demand is high with the number of agreed sales 4% above the same time last year, according to September figures from Rightmove. Its data also showed the first rise in new seller asking prices since May, although they were slightly down from the same time last year. This market momentum is also attracting more buyers, with the average estate agent now having 36 properties on their books according to Zoopla, a figure that’s 8% higher than this time last year.
Get ready
While you could wait until the next base rate other sellers might be considering doing the same, which would mean you’d face even greater competition in attracting the attention of a buyer if you wait. You may also encounter more market nervousness if a base rate cut isn’t forthcoming. A more sensible approach might be to take advantage of that buoyant buyer demand and prepare to list as soon as you can.
If you are already set to go, speak to your trusted agent to list as soon as possible. If you are still preparing for sale, then it’s worth a further push to get your property ready for sale earlier before the impact of the budget and a subsequent Christmas slowdown. This means gathering all the information your agent and potential buyers may need and cleaning and decluttering ready for staging and marketing your property. With jitters remaining around rates, however, competitive pricing will continue to be key to a successful sale.
For more information on how we can assist you on your sales journey, please contact one of our branches in Essex, London or Hertfordshire today. We also offer a free and instant online valuation to give you an idea of how much your home could be worth on the current market.
