Demand for new-build homes remained subdued in the first quarter of 2026, with fewer than one in five properties finding a buyer according to new data from Property Inspect.
The firm’s latest New-Build Stock and Demand Index shows that just 16.4% of new-build homes secured a buyer during the quarter, marking a slight quarterly dip and a 2% decline year-on-year.
At the same time, new-build stock accounted for just 6.3% of all homes on the market, down marginally both quarterly and annually, highlighting constrained supply alongside weaker demand.
The figures point to a more cautious buyer landscape, with demand becoming increasingly selective despite underlying market activity.
REGIONAL VARIATIONS
Portsmouth recorded the strongest demand, with 38.3% of new-build stock sold subject to contract, followed by Sheffield (34.1%) and Southampton (31.4%).
In contrast, demand was weakest in Newport (1.3%), Aberdeen (1.8%) and Liverpool (2.8%), underlining the uneven nature of buyer appetite across the UK.
Stock levels also showed divergence, with Liverpool holding the highest proportion of new-build listings at 10.5%, followed by Aberdeen (9.2%) and Edinburgh (7.6%).
Despite the subdued headline figures, some markets saw notable quarterly improvements in demand, including Portsmouth, Sheffield and Edinburgh, suggesting that pricing and product alignment remain key to driving sales.
MEASURED DEMAND
Sián Hemming-Metcalfe (main picture, inset), Operations Director at Property Inspect, says: “There’s still demand in the market, but buyers are being far more measured than they were before.
“For many, a new-build purchase now comes with a greater level of scrutiny around value, quality, and peace of mind. That means developers need to work harder to build confidence early, because where buyers feel reassured, sales still happen.
“What stands out in this quarter’s figures is just how varied the picture is from one city to the next.
“That tells us demand hasn’t gone away, but it has become much more selective. Buyers are still willing to move when pricing feels realistic and the product meets expectations, but they are much less willing to take a leap of faith than they were in a more buoyant market.”
