A wave of new tax measures targeting holiday homes is sparking a rapid recovery in the UK’s rural property market. Sales of homes over £750,000 jumped 7% in June compared to last year, as lower prices and more listings attract buyers.
Welsh councils can now quadruple taxes on second homes, and English councils can double them. This has prompted many owners to sell, resulting in a 9% increase in country house listings during the second quarter.
With more properties on the market and prices falling, buyers now have the upper hand. Property experts highlight that accurate pricing is key—homes priced right are selling quickly, while overpriced properties remain unsold.
Analysts believe the current surge in activity signals a lasting transformation in the market. Buyers now enjoy more negotiating power than at any time since 2018, reversing the pandemic’s seller-friendly conditions.