The Myth of the "Summer Price Skyrocket", PO19 Property Market — July 2026
If you’ve been chatting with neighbours over a garden fence near the high street lately, you might have heard a common myth: that the July sunshine automatically makes house prices sizzle. There’s a belief that just because the gardens look lovely, buyers will pay any price you put on the tin.
The reality? It’s a bit of a "good news, bad news" sandwich this month across our PO19 postcode area. Whether you’re looking at a terraced house in St Pancras or a spacious family home near Fordwater Road, the market is behaving more like a slow summer stroll than a sprint. I’m Jodie Stubbington, and I’ve been crunching the numbers to show you what’s really happening in our corner of the world.
The Good News: It’s a Buyer’s Playground
The big headline for July is that there is plenty of choice. Right now, there are 505 homes available to buy across PO19. To put that in perspective, we only see about 25 homes actually change hands and find new owners every month.
If you are looking to move, you’re the one in the driving seat. Imagine walking into a bakery and seeing 20 different types of cake but only one or two other customers; you can take your time, pick the best one, and perhaps even haggle on the price. That is exactly what it feels like to be a buyer in PO19 right now.
The Reality Check: The Price Gap
Now for the "bad news" for sellers: the price you see on the "for sale" signs isn't usually what ends up in the bank. Currently, the average price sellers are asking for is £400,232. You can think of that as the "wish list" price—roughly what a nice three-bedroom semi-detached house might be listed for.
However, the price people are actually paying (the sold price) is averaging £368,718. Did you know there is currently a £31,514 gap between the dream and the reality? This means that on average, sellers are having to accept about 8.5% less than their original asking price to get a deal over the line.
What’s Happening Right Now?
In just the last month, the prices buyers are paying have dipped by about £19,748. It sounds like a lot, but remember, the market is just like a pendulum—it swings back and forth.
We’ve seen some incredible homes sell recently, showing that people are still moving for the right property. For example, a beautiful home on The Avenue recently sold for £2.5 million, and we saw a significant sale on North Street for over £1.5 million. Whether it’s a grand detached house or a cosy flat, things are moving, just more slowly.
The Long View: Your Bricks and Mortar
People often ask me, "Jodie, is my house a good investment?" If we look back seven years to 2019, the average sold price in PO19 was £372,747. Today, it’s £368,718.
This means that over the last seven years, the "wealth" sitting in the average home has actually stayed very steady, dipping slightly by about £4,029 (or 1.1%). While we haven't seen a massive jump in value, it shows that PO19 is a stable place to live. Your home has effectively held its value during some of the most turbulent years in recent history.
The Jodie Verdict
So, what does this mean for you? If you’re in North Street, Fordwater Road, or anywhere in between, the message is simple:
- Sellers: You need to be realistic. To get a "Sold" sign up, your price needs to be competitive from day one.
- Buyers: This is your moment. With 16 months’ worth of houses currently sitting on the shelf, you have the power to negotiate.
Whether you're just curious about what the house down the road sold for or you're planning a big move, I’m always here for a chat.