7 predictions for Sale's housing market in 2026
As 2025 nears its end, plenty of people in M33 are wondering the same thing: what is going to happen to house prices in Sale in 2026?
To find out, we asked three local experts –James Ashworth from Ashworth Holme, Gareth Yates with eXp and Samantha Corbett from EweMove Sale – for their 2026 Sale housing market predictions.
Local experts say…
Taken together, their views paint a clear picture: 2026 is set to be a steady, resilient year for Sale’s housing market – not a boom or a crash.
Expect modest price growth, slightly easing mortgage rates, strong demand for family homes and a market that rewards realistic pricing and good presentation.
What’s happening?
James Ashworth notes that prices across Trafford have barely budged: the average home is around £377,000, up only 0.5% on the year and just 3.3% over three years. In other words, we’ve had a gentle plateau rather than a surge.
At the same time, all three agents report healthy buyer demand on the ground – particularly for the “right” homes: well-presented properties in good locations and sensibly priced family houses close to popular schools.
The wider picture includes:
High but easing interest and mortgage rates
A jumpy 2025 with Autumn Budget nerves and stop-start demand
Local regeneration, especially around Stanley Square, boosting Sale’s appeal
Why it matters
If our local experts are right, 2026 won’t bring a dramatic reset in prices, but it could be a more comfortable year to make a move. Buyers may see more choice, slightly better borrowing conditions and a touch less competition from buy-to-let investors.
Sellers will need to be sharper on price and presentation than ever because correctly priced homes should still attract strong interest, while over-ambitious listings risk sitting on the market.
In short: don’t expect a bargain-basement Sale, but do expect a more predictable one.
Zoom in: We asked James, Gareth and Samantha how their 2026 forecasts line up. Here are 7 key insights on what 2026 has in store for Sale’s housing market:
1. A steady year with modest price growth, not a rollercoaster
All three agents agree: 2026 is likely to look a lot like the last year or two – steady, rather than spectacular.
James (Ashworth Holme) expects modest price growth of around 1-2 per cent in 2026, in line with what Trafford has seen recently. He isn’t predicting any major swings unless something unexpected hits the wider economy.
Samantha (EweMove Sale) also forecasts “modest gains” in M33 and believes Sale will outperform the wider UK average thanks to Trafford’s resilience and high demand.
Gareth (eXp) outlook is similar: a more consistent, stable market after a bumpy 2025.
Main takeaway: Prices in Sale are more likely to inch up than surge or crash next year.
2. Mortgage and interest rates should ease – but not revolutionise the market
There’s cautious optimism on borrowing costs, but no one is predicting miracles.
James points to forecasts that suggest interest rates may come down by up to 1 per cent and likely not until late 2026. His view is that this won’t radically change buyer behaviour on its own.
Gareth expects mortgage rates to continue a slow decline, which should support buyer activity, especially after the uncertainty and shocks of recent years.
Main takeaway: 2026 could feel a touch more comfortable for buyers as rates edge down, but not enough to transform affordability overnight.
3. Realistic pricing and good presentation will make or break a sale
If there’s one theme all three agents hammer home, it’s this: 2026 will be the year when pricing and presentation really count.
James says Ashworth Holme has seen “plenty of demand from buyers, especially for homes that are priced correctly and marketed properly.” Well-priced homes are still attracting strong interest.
Gareth warns there’s still a gap between what some sellers want and what buyers will pay. In 2026, he expects accurately priced homes to sell incredibly quickly and over-priced homes or homes on sale to “test the market” to struggle, as the market becomes more balanced and less forgiving
Samantha reports that homes which are well presented, well-maintained and close to high schools are already selling quicker than the national average, often within around 10 weeks. Properties in need of work must be priced correctly because of high labour and material costs.
Main takeaway: In 2026, you won’t be able to bluff the market. If you want to sell, get the price right and make sure your home looks its best.
4. Family homes near good schools will stay “gold dust”
Every agent points to ongoing, intense demand for family houses.
According to Samantha, semi-detached and detached family homes continue to be “gold dust” in Sale. Families move to M33 for the schools and often stay for 20 years, locking up supply. She’s already seen bidding wars for these properties in 2025 and expects that to continue into 2026.
James notes that even in a flat market, “good homes” – typically well-located family houses – still attract strong interest.
Gareth expects the £500,000+ market to be incredibly active, especially in the first half of the year, which in Sale often means larger family homes.
Main takeaway: If you’re hoping to buy a family home near a popular school, competition is here to stay – even in a steady market.
5. More choice for buyers – and a small boost for first-time buyers
There are signs that supply could loosen slightly in 2026, even if demand remains strong.
Gareth predicts the Renters’ Rights Act will mean “fractionally less demand” from buy-to-let investors, leaving slightly more property available for first-time buyers. He sums it up as: more choice of homes, but also more buyers, creating a steady, balanced market rather than one that clearly favours buyers or sellers.
Main takeaway: Buyers, especially first-timers, could see a few more doors open in 2026 – but they won’t have the market entirely to themselves.
6. Sale’s “lifestyle premium” will keep growing
One of the most distinctive predictions comes from Samantha at EweMove Sale, who focuses on how the town itself is changing. She highlighted what she calls the “Stanley Square effect”:
Sale was once the cheaper alternative to Timperley and Altrincham.
Thanks to the regeneration of Stanley Square, the Trafford schools' premium and excellent transport links, Sale is “establishing itself as a destination in its own right.”
She expects this lifestyle premium to grow through 2026, drawing in young professionals and buyers moving out of the city and areas like Didsbury and Chorlton.
Main takeaway: Regeneration and lifestyle appeal should help Sale outperform the wider UK and support those modest price gains.
7. 2026 is likely to begin with a busy first half
Gareth expects the first half of 2026 to be “extremely active”, as people who delayed their move to get the Autumn Budget and Christmas out of the way finally press “go”. This could be especially noticeable at £500,000 and above, where he predicts lots more supply and strong activity.
Main takeaway: If you’re planning to list in early 2026, you’ll probably have company – and competition. That could be good news for buyers who’ve felt short of choice in recent months.
So… what should buyers and sellers in Sale do?
One thing all three agents agree on: no one can time the market perfectly.
As Gareth puts it, if estate agents could predict it exactly, “we’d all be millionaires.” The right time to buy or sell is still when you are ready – but going into 2026, you can do so with a bit more confidence that:
The market in Sale remains resilient
Sharp pricing and good presentation will really matter
Family homes close to schools will stay in high demand
Sale’s appeal as a place to live, work and stay busy locally is only getting stronger
Looking to buy or sell in Sale, Trafford? Read Life in Sale’s property news, covering first-time buyer tips, valuations and houses for sale in M33.
Lead image: AI-generated to depict an example semi-detached home in Sale, M33
