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After a somewhat hesitant close to last year, shaped by rate uncertainty, Budget nerves and a lot of people waiting for the right moment, the December base rate cut and the usual “new year, new move” mindset seem to have brought buyers and sellers back to the North London market with a lot more intent. Confidence has returned enough for people to act and, in a market with more choice, the homes seeing the strongest results are the ones getting the fundamentals right from day one.
\nLast week, the Bank of England held the base rate at 3.75%, which has naturally left some people wondering what that means if they are thinking about selling. It is worth remembering that buyers have spent the last five years navigating one hurdle after another: the pandemic, higher interest rates, inflation and the cost of living crisis.For those who need to move, there is only so long they are willing to wait.
\nSo while this latest base rate decision may not be headline-grabbing, it does offer something buyers have been craving for a long time: a little more stability.
\nLast year’s pause has lifted, and it has brought a lot more property with it.
\nRightmove described the March market as “steady rather than strong”, with the number of homes for sale at its highest level for this time of year in 11 years. Sales agreed are still running close to last year’s level and ahead of 2024, which all points to a market that is moving, even if buyers are taking a more considered approach than they once did.
\nThat increase in homes coming to the market matters. Buyers have more to look at, more homes to compare and more reason to pause before making a decision. In that kind of market, sellers do not just need interest, they need distinction. The homes that look best value, feel easiest to move into and are launched with the right strategy are the ones selling twice as fast as the London average.
\nAcross Islington and Crouch End, the first quarter has supported that story rather well. Between the two offices, almost 100 instructions launched in Q1 so far, with over 50% of them now under offer or sold.
\nIn Crouch End, 54.3% of homes listed this year are now under offer or sold, with 98.91% of asking price achieved across sold and under-offer properties. That is an encouraging sign in a market where buyers are often described as cautious. It suggests that while buyers may be more selective, they are still willing to pay strong money when a home feels well judged from the start.
\nToby puts it well: “Increased choice in the market naturally leads to more viewings and a more pragmatic approach from buyers. While the decision-making process is taking marginally longer as buyers navigate their options, this environment serves as a quality filter. A buyer who acts decisively in today’s landscape is typically highly motivated, which translates into greater transactional security.”
\nIn Islington, 44% of homes listed in Q1 so far were agreed, with 101.5% of asking price achieved across sold and under-offer properties. That is a striking number, and an important reminder that selective does not mean weak. Where pricing is right and the launch lands well, strong competition ending on a higher asking price is very possible.
\nDillen’s view captures it perfectly: “We entered the first quarter with a real spring in our step, fuelled by significant pent-up demand following the November Budget. That renewed confidence brought both buyers and vendors back to the table in record numbers. The ‘wait-and-see’ approach of 2025 has clearly been replaced by a genuine motivation to move.”
\nIn Islington, Dillen also reports that where advice is taken, homes are agreeing in around 28 days from launch. Against a wider London average of around 80 days to find a buyer, that stands out. It also reinforces the central point of the quarter: this market is rewarding sellers who listen, prepare and position their homes well.
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So what does all of this mean if you are thinking of selling in Q2?
\nFirstly, this is a good market to act in, but it is not a lazy one. There is movement, there is intent, and buyers are not absent.
\nSellers cannot assume that because confidence has returned, buyers will overlook pricing. It needs to feel sensible against the alternatives from the moment you come to market. Buyers now have more tabs open, more viewings booked and more reference points in their minds. Overpricing does not just risk a slow start, it can damage momentum at the very point when attention is highest.
\nPresentation matters just as much. Buyers may be thinking strategically, but they are also trying to picture the life they could lead in a home. A property that feels well cared for signals value. Quick maintenance fixes, a lick of paint, a fresh front door, they all contribute to how a home is perceived. In a competitive market, a home rarely needs to be flawless, but it does need to feel convincing.
\nAnd then we have the final P, position. The right buyer still has to be reached, matched and managed well. How a home is brought to market, who it reaches first and whether there is value in a discreet pre-market conversation can all shape the outcome. With 11% of our Crouch End homes sold off market in 2025, we know just how important that final piece can be.
\nToby’s advice is particularly useful here: “The second quarter is defined by a dense calendar of Bank Holidays and school breaks. We can use this to our advantage through a discreet pre-market phase. By finalising your media and marketing now, we can test the waters quietly during the holiday periods when the ‘noise’ of the general market is quieter.”
\nAnd last, but certainly not least, getting from a viewing to an offer is a success, but it is what happens afterwards that matters most.
\nDillen’s advice that sellers should be sale-ready from day one is particularly important here: “In a competitive market, my number one piece of advice for Q2 is to be ‘Sale-Ready’ from day one. Time is often the enemy of a successful deal. Having your legal paperwork, management packs and home in order prevents momentum from stalling.”
\nAs we move into Q2, there is still plenty to be encouraged by. The spring market is always an active one, right through into summer. The recent base rate hold has helped bring a little more stability and buyers who have been delayed by one hurdle after another over recent years are not going to wait forever. For many, if they need to move, they are moving.
\nStill, this is not a moment for complacency. The opportunity in Q2 lies in preparation and timing, not in assuming the market will do the work for you. Buyers remain active, but they are making careful decisions, and that means sellers who come to market with a realistic view and willing to adapt are likely to see the strongest results.
\nCurious what your home could achieve in today’s market? We’d be happy to share our on-the-ground advice on pricing, presentation and the best way to launch in Q2.
\nContact our Crouch End office or Islington office.
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