If you are thinking about moving in the next 6 to 12 months, a market appraisal is often the best first step. It gives you a clearer view of value, timing and buyer demand, helping you plan with more confidence in a competitive 2026 market.

April is a good time for buyers to focus on readiness rather than guesswork. In a market where choice has improved but confidence remains mixed, being organised can make all the difference when the right home comes along.

There's no getting around the fact that April has been an unusual month to try to read the property market. The ripple effects of the conflict in the Middle East — higher energy prices, inflation concerns, rising mortgage rates — have introduced a level of uncertainty that nobody was anticipating at the start of the year.

The government's 2030 deadline for EPC C compliance is four years away, but the average major energy improvement — from initial assessment through planning, procurement and works — can take considerably longer than most landlords expect and from late 2026, the very way EPCs are measured and reported is changing.