How To Thrive as a Seller in the South Wests Toughest Market in a Decade
June 2025 just landed a cold, hard slap of reality for property sellers across the South West—and North Devon is feeling it too.
Rightmove’s latest figures show a 0.3% drop in asking prices, the first fall in June since 2015 and the steepest in over a decade. Ouch! At the same time, seller listings jumped 11%, but buyer demand? Up just 3% on last year. Translation? More homes competing for fewer motivated buyers. The balance of power has shifted—and it’s no longer in your favour.
But don’t panic. Here’s exactly how savvy sellers are still winning the game—even in the toughest market we’ve seen in years.
🎯 1. Price Like You Mean It
Forget the old ‘try high, drop later’ strategy. Today’s buyers are sharper, savvier, and comparing your home with ten others before they even book a viewing. Price it wrong, and you’ll be ghosted. Aim to list within 2–3% of market reality using solid local sales data.
Get it right, and you’re not just attracting clicks—you’re getting offers. Get it wrong, and you’ll be chasing buyers for months while your asking price gets slowly chipped away.
🖼️ 2. First Impressions Are Everything
In a market flooded with choice, your home needs to punch through the noise. That starts with killer photos—natural light, proper angles, clean lines. Got a smartphone? Great—just make sure it’s pro-level. or better still just get in a Pro, you wont regret it!
Declutter, add greenery, mow the lawn, polish the windows. It sounds simple, but it works. If you’ve got rural charm or character features, show them off loud and proud. Those are your trump cards.
🎁 3. Sweeten the Deal
Buyers aren’t just shopping on price—they’re shopping on terms. Definitely offer to be flexible on completion dates, include some items from your home or garden in the deal or even offer to cover survey fees ( with limitations of course)
In North Devon especially, timing is everything—school holidays, tourist season, relocation windows. Be the seller that makes life easier, and you’ll stand out.
🌐 4. Think Beyond Rightmove
The portals are just the start. A smart local agent with the right network and presence in the community can get you in front of real buyers—the ones already eyeing up the South West for a lifestyle move.
And don’t underestimate the power of targeted social media. Facebook and Instagram ads aimed at stressed-out London buyers searching for “South West country homes” are gold right now.
🔍 5. Stay on the Pulse
Don’t wait to be told your price is too high. Watch the data. Rightmove’s House Price Index and Land Registry updates can show you exactly what’s moving, where, and when. Timing your next move—whether it’s a price shift or a change in strategy—could be the difference between sold and stuck. But be specific to your area, national headlines on house prices include the whole country not just North Devon.
Markets are hyper local right now so it’s essential to drill down to your area and what’s happening to prices locally.
Final Word: It’s Time to Get Smart
June has exposed a shift. The old rules won’t cut it anymore. If you’re still clinging to ‘wait and see,’ you’ll watch your price erode as fresher, better-presented, better-priced homes steal your buyers.
But if you’re ready to act—to price smart, market brilliantly, and give buyers a reason to choose you—there’s still everything to play for.
Need help putting this strategy into action?
We do this all day, every day.
Drop us a message on sales@matchproperty.co.uk or book a seller review—we’ll tell you what your agent won’t.
Book an advice meeting here
Or call our friendly team on 01271 410108