Rightmove Reports Buyer Enquiries Still Trailing 2024 Levels
The UK property market has been navigating a period of adjustment throughout 2025, and the latest data from Rightmove underlines that challenge clearly. According to the property portal, prospective buyer enquiries continue to trail the levels recorded during the same period in 2024. For homeowners hoping to sell, estate agents working to match buyers with properties, and investors monitoring market momentum, this is a significant indicator worth understanding in full context.
While a dip in buyer enquiries does not signal a market collapse, it does reflect a more cautious attitude among would-be purchasers — one shaped by a combination of economic pressures, mortgage market conditions, and shifting consumer confidence. In this article, we break down what Rightmove's findings mean, why buyer demand has softened, and what sellers and buyers alike should expect as the year progresses.
What the Rightmove Data Actually Shows
Rightmove is one of the UK's most widely used property portals, and its data draws on millions of listings and user interactions every month. When the platform reports that buyer enquiries are running below the previous year's levels, it reflects a measurable decline in the number of potential purchasers actively reaching out to estate agents about listed properties.
This metric matters because enquiries are one of the earliest signals of buyer intent in the property chain. Before an offer is made, before a viewing is booked, a buyer must first make contact. A sustained drop in enquiries, therefore, suggests that fewer people are in the active buying mindset — whether because they cannot yet secure the financing they need, are waiting for greater price clarity, or are simply taking a more measured approach to one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.
It is worth noting that 2024 was itself a year of recovery and renewed optimism, particularly following interest rate cuts from the Bank of England that helped bring mortgage rates down from their recent peaks. Comparing 2025 to that backdrop makes the current softness all the more telling.
Key Reasons Behind the Drop in Buyer Demand
Mortgage Affordability Pressures
Despite some easing in interest rates, mortgage affordability remains a genuine barrier for many households. First-time buyers in particular continue to face elevated monthly repayment costs compared to just a few years ago. The gap between what buyers can comfortably borrow and what sellers are asking has not fully closed, which has kept a segment of potential purchasers on the sidelines.
Cost of Living Uncertainty
Household budgets across the UK have been stretched by persistent inflation in food, energy, and everyday expenses. Even where individuals have the theoretical borrowing capacity to enter the market, many are choosing to wait until they feel more financially secure before committing to a mortgage. This sense of economic caution is reflected directly in the enquiry data Rightmove is tracking.
Market Price Expectations
There remains a gap in expectations between buyers and sellers in many parts of the country. Sellers, understandably, are anchoring to peak values or recent comparable sales. Buyers, meanwhile, are factoring in the higher cost of borrowing and are less willing to stretch. Until this expectation gap narrows — either through price reductions, wage growth, or further rate cuts — enquiry volumes are likely to remain subdued.
Seasonal and Cyclical Factors
It would also be a mistake to overlook the role of seasonal patterns. The property market typically follows rhythms tied to school terms, the calendar year, and economic announcements. Enquiry levels at different points in 2025 need to be read in context — a dip in one period may partly reflect timing, rather than a structural change in appetite.
What This Means for Sellers
If you are currently listing a property or planning to do so, the current environment calls for realistic pricing and strong presentation. With fewer buyers actively enquiring, competition for the ones who are in the market is higher than ever. Properties that are priced in line with genuine market value, presented professionally, and marketed with high-quality photographs and descriptions are still moving — but overpriced listings are increasingly likely to sit without traction.
Working closely with an experienced local estate agent who understands current demand in your area is more important now than during periods of heightened buyer activity. Flexibility, patience, and a willingness to negotiate are key attributes for sellers hoping to achieve a successful transaction in the current climate.
What This Means for Buyers
For prospective buyers, softer demand is not necessarily bad news. Reduced competition means more time to conduct proper due diligence, less likelihood of being caught in a bidding war, and in some cases, greater room to negotiate on price or purchase conditions. Buyers who are financially prepared and pre-approved for a mortgage are in a relatively strong position right now, particularly if they are searching in markets where supply has increased.
Staying informed about mortgage products and speaking regularly with a broker will help buyers move quickly when the right property appears — which, in a quieter market, can make all the difference.
Looking Ahead: Will Enquiry Levels Recover?
Most property analysts expect buyer enquiry levels to improve as the year progresses, provided that the Bank of England continues its gradual path of rate reductions and wage growth outpaces inflation. Rightmove's own commentary has historically pointed to underlying demand remaining strong in the UK, underpinned by a persistent housing shortage relative to population needs.
However, a return to the elevated levels seen during the post-pandemic boom or even the recovery period of 2024 is unlikely to happen quickly. The market is recalibrating, and that process takes time. What the current period of softer enquiries ultimately reflects is a more rational, considered approach to property purchasing — one that, while frustrating for sellers in the short term, may contribute to a more stable and sustainable market in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Rightmove's latest findings serve as a valuable temperature check for the UK property market. Buyer enquiries running below last year's levels is a clear sign that demand has moderated, driven by a mix of affordability constraints, economic uncertainty, and a recalibration of price expectations. For both buyers and sellers, understanding this landscape is essential to making informed decisions. Whether you are looking to list a home, make an offer, or simply monitor the market, keeping a close eye on data from leading platforms like Rightmove remains one of the smartest moves you can make.