Summer's Over - But the property market is still heating up!

The Greater Exeter property market could be heading for an “Indian Summer”, according to Roger Wilkinson, Principal of leading West Country agency, Wilkinson Grant & Co.

“August is traditionally associated with holidays, automatic email replies and people temporarily forgetting which day of the week it is. This year, however, the local property market remained surprisingly lively.”

Buyer enquiries and viewing activity continued throughout the summer, while a healthy number of sales were agreed across Exeter, Topsham and East Devon.

Now, with schools returning and normal routines being restored, the autumn market is gathering pace.

September and October often provide a valuable window for movers. Buyers who have spent the summer watching and waiting tend to become more decisive, while sellers start doing the calendar maths and realise that anyone hoping to move before Christmas probably needs to get a wriggle on.

Market conditions are certainly more balanced than during the post-pandemic frenzy. Buyers have more choice and are taking greater care over price, condition, energy efficiency and running costs. Bank Rate remains at 3.75%, so affordability has not disappeared from the conversation—but greater stability is allowing more households to plan and make decisions with increased confidence.

Roger says:

“There is good demand, but it is selective. Homes that are sensibly priced, beautifully presented and properly marketed are attracting strong attention. Those launched at a price based more on hope than evidence may find buyers rather less enthusiastic.

“The first few weeks on the market remain particularly important. Sellers who prepare properly and launch with real impact give themselves the best opportunity to attract serious buyers, create competition and achieve the strongest result.”

Family homes close to popular schools, character properties in established neighbourhoods and modern, energy-efficient homes remain particularly sought-after. Exeter’s combination of employment, education, transport connections and easy access to both coast and countryside continues to underpin its appeal.

Wilkinson Grant expects activity to strengthen further during September and October, supported by renewed buyer urgency and a steady flow of owners bringing their homes to market.

The outlook is positive, although success will depend upon accurate pricing, standout presentation and proactive estate agency—not simply placing a property online and hoping for the best.

It may not be a market in which everything sells overnight. Frankly, very few sensible markets are.

For buyers, the autumn market should bring greater choice and more room for considered decisions. For well-prepared sellers, it offers something equally valuable: motivated people actively searching for their next home.

The nights may be drawing in—but Greater Exeter’s property market is just warming up.