Bielby's Blog - Autumn in the Shropshire Property Market

Autumn in the Shropshire Property Market: Falling Leaves, Rising Opportunities, and Proper British Sense!

Ah, British autumn. The season of golden leaves, soggy boots, and that unmistakable chill that makes you wonder if your central heating is just a suggestion. And in the property world? House prices are settling down a bit too — like a cat finally curling up in front of a radiator.

According to Rightmove, average asking prices have dipped slightly this season — around 1.3% (£4,969). Over the past few months, that’s more than £10,000 trimmed off. Sellers might raise an eyebrow, but fear not — this isn’t the start of a property Armageddon. It’s simply a reminder that buyers aren’t going to pay Champagne prices for houses with proper-ale kitchens and carpets that double as tumbleweed.

Here’s the truth we see every week across our offices in Newport, Wellington, Market Drayton, and Whitchurch: if you price your property correctly from the start, it typically takes around 32 days to find a buyer. Price too high, reduce later, and you’re looking at 99 days — roughly the gestation period of a porcupine, and equally prickly to endure.

The sellers who “read the room” — launching at the right price, timing their viewings, and embracing the seasonal charm of autumn — are the ones with offers, viewings, and a moving van on the drive before they’ve unpacked their woolly socks. The ones stubbornly pushing prices? They’re usually muttering “but the house down the road…” while their For Sale board quietly grows moss.

Meanwhile, buyers are in a surprisingly good place. Mortgage rates are looking friendlier — the average two-year fix is around 4.49%, saving the typical buyer £117 a month compared to last year. That’s enough for Netflix, Amazon Prime, and still some spare cash for a proper mince pie or two.

So, my advice for autumn and winter? Sellers: be realistic, be competitive, and embrace the cosy charm of the season — there’s nothing worse than being the egg mayonnaise sandwich at the property buffet. Buyers: enjoy the choices, the keener prices, and the chance to move before spring madness returns (and the garden starts growing things you really didn’t plant).