September often brings a change of pace to the property market as the summer holidays end and moving plans come back onto the agenda.

According to the latest data from Rightmove, that's exactly what we're seeing this year. Buyer demand increased by 5% during the first week of September, compared with an average increase of just 0.4% over the same period during the previous five years.

Even more encouraging for our local market, buyer demand in the West Midlands increased by 7%.

So, with buyers returning to their property searches, plenty of homes to choose from and pricing remaining important, what does the latest market mean if you're thinking about moving?

Buyers are getting back to their property searches

Rightmove recorded an increase in buyer demand across every region of Great Britain during the first week of September.

That doesn't mean every home will suddenly have a queue of buyers at the door, but it does show that people are actively looking and moving plans are being picked back up.

For sellers thinking about coming to the market this autumn, that's encouraging.

And while national figures give us an idea of the wider picture, property is always local. With the West Midlands seeing a 7% increase in demand, we're much more interested in what's happening in and around our own markets than simply looking at a UK-wide headline.

National headlines can tell you what's happening broadly, but they can't tell you exactly what's happening on your street or with your type of property.

Buyers have plenty of choice

While the return of buyers is positive, there's another important part of the current market: there are plenty of properties for them to choose from.

Rightmove's latest House Price Index reported that the number of homes available for sale was at a 12-year high for the time of year.

For buyers, that's good news. More choice means more opportunity to compare locations, property styles and prices and find the home that suits you.

For sellers, it means your property needs to compete for attention.

Getting the price right matters

With buyers having more options, pricing your home correctly is particularly important.

Rightmove reported an average asking price of £298,049 in the West Midlands in August, 0.8% lower than the previous month but still 0.7% higher than a year earlier.

Rightmove has also revised its national forecast and now expects average UK asking prices to finish 2026 between 0% and 2% lower. However, price trends vary considerably between regions, and even two streets within the same town can perform differently.

That's why the right asking price isn't necessarily the highest figure someone is willing to suggest for your home. It's about considering comparable properties, current competition, buyer demand and what similar homes are actually achieving.

Interestingly, Rightmove says nearly three-quarters of homes sold so far this year have done so without needing an asking-price reduction.

Getting the strategy right from the beginning can make a real difference.

Standing out is about more than price

Of course, price isn't the only thing buyers see when they're searching.

Before someone books a viewing, they've likely already formed an impression of your property online. The photography, description, floorplan and features highlighted can all influence whether someone stops scrolling or moves on to the next home.

And with buyers currently having plenty of choice, making a strong first impression is particularly important.

At DB Roberts, we have the local knowledge and experience to value, market and sell homes across Shrewsbury, Telford, Stafford, Cannock and Wolverhampton, with our marketing focused on getting your property in front of the right buyers.

Professional photography plays a big part in that, helping to showcase the space and features that make your home special. Our professional photography package also includes a featured property video at no extra cost, giving buyers another way to discover your home and get a feel for what it has to offer.

But we don't rely on photographs and property portals alone.

We also use our database of thousands of registered buyers to directly target people looking for a property like yours through emails and phone calls.

And because buyers aren't only looking for homes on property websites, social media is an important part of our marketing too. Our Facebook and Instagram pages reach people across our local areas with properties, video tours, market updates, local content and property news, helping us connect with buyers wherever they're spending their time online.

Ultimately, good marketing is about getting your property seen by the right people and giving them a reason to stop, click and want to know more.

What does the latest market mean for buyers?

More properties on the market means more choice, and if you've been waiting until after the summer to restart your search, now could be a good time to see what's available.

Think about your priorities. What do you absolutely need? What would you like? And where are you willing to compromise?

Looking slightly outside your original search area, considering a home that needs some cosmetic work or being flexible on a less important requirement could open up more options.

Browse our latest properties for sale here.

So, is September a good time to move?

There isn't one month that's automatically the "right" time for everyone. Your circumstances, finances and plans will always matter more than a national statistic.

But Rightmove's latest figures give us some encouraging signs as we head into autumn.

Buyer activity has picked up, including a particularly strong increase in the West Midlands. For sellers, there are buyers actively looking, but with plenty of choice available, getting your price, presentation and marketing right remains important.

For buyers, there's a good selection of homes to explore and an opportunity to see what your budget could get you.

Thinking about making a move?

Whether you're considering selling, starting your property search or simply wondering what the latest market means for you, our local teams are here to help.

We can talk you through what's happening in your area, what buyers are looking for and what your property could be worth in the current market.

Or, if you're ready to take the next step, you can book your free, no-obligation valuation online.