Homeowners across England and Wales are continuing to overestimate the value of their homes by an average of 16.38%, according to research from Quick Move Now, highlighting the persistent gap between seller expectations and market reality.
The figure is only marginally lower than the 16.57% recorded a year earlier, suggesting many sellers remain out of step with achievable market values despite slower market conditions and longer selling times.
The research found significant regional variations in pricing expectations, with Wales recording the largest average overvaluation at 21.89%, up sharply from 16.57% last year.
The North East followed at 19.48%, closely followed by Yorkshire and the Humber at 19.45%, while the East of England also recorded elevated pricing expectations at 18.22%.
FRAGMENTED MARKET
But sellers in the East Midlands, West Midlands and Greater London were found to be the most realistic, although homeowners in all regions were still typically pricing above professional valuations.
The East Midlands recorded the lowest average overvaluation at 14.53%, followed by the West Midlands at 14.60% and Greater London at 14.74%.
Quick Move Now says the data points to a fragmented market, with no simple north-south divide emerging across pricing behaviour.
The research also found notable differences between property types.
Terraced homes are now the most overvalued category of property, with sellers pricing them 19.77% above professional valuations on average, up from 16.70% last year.
End-of-terrace properties also saw overvaluation levels rise to 16.75%.
Flats, however, showed signs of correction, with overvaluation levels falling from 19.97% last year to 16.61% in 2026.
Detached homes and bungalows were found to have the most realistic pricing expectations, at 13.40% and 12.60% respectively.
Quick Move Now warned that inflated asking prices continue to contribute to slower transactions and longer periods on the market, particularly as buyers become increasingly price-sensitive amid higher mortgage costs and affordability pressures.
RIGHT PRICE IS ESSENTIAL
Danny Luke (main picture, inset), Chief Executive Officer at Quick Move Now, says: “The property market has been quite uncertain over the last few years, so it’s little surprise that homeowners are misaligned with professional estate agent valuations.
“While some regions and property types are becoming more realistic, the gap in areas like Wales and the North remains significant and, in some cases, is widening.
“On an average UK property priced at £285,400, a 16% overvaluation means sellers are often asking more than £46,000 above what the market will bear.
“With homes currently taking nearly seven months to sell on average, an overpriced property risks sitting unsold indefinitely. Getting the price right from day one isn’t just good advice, it’s essential.”
