Caversham & Sonning Moves in 2026: Timing and Precision Matter
The new year has kicked off with a calm but active feel across Caversham and Sonning. Homes are selling, buyers are making moves, and sales are happening but it is measured. No panic, no frenzy. This market is rewarding good timing, accurate pricing and a smart understanding of the local landscape.
What is Really Going On?
From October 2025 through to now, the picture has stayed consistent:
- Sales volumes are holding steady
- Buyers are showing up, but they’re selective
- Speed has been replaced by strategy
That means overpricing, poor launch planning, or ignoring recent evidence are the main reasons homes sit unsold.
National market: Balanced, not Booming
Zooming out for a second nationally, we saw October finish as the busiest sales month since spring. Mortgage approvals stayed steady through the rest of the year and pricing trends were flat with modest annual growth. So, while we’re not in boom territory, the market is moving, just carefully.
A confidence boost came in December, with the Bank of England cutting the base rate to 3.75%. Mortgage rates have dipped slightly, with many fixed deals now just under 5%. That’s helped get some previously hesitant buyers off the fence, especially in higher-value areas like Sonning but it hasn’t tipped the market fully in favour of sellers.
Local Snapshot: Caversham vs Sonning
Caversham
- Average sold prices: mid-to-high £400,000s
- Buyer mindset: School-driven, location-focused, and quick to compare
- Flats and terraces in central or Lower Caversham are taking a bit longer to shift especially if priced above market
Caversham is lively but buyers are on the ball. A home needs to be launched smartly not just on the market but in the market.
Sonning
- Average sold prices: £600,000+ and rising
- Most active: Detached homes, riverside properties and character cottages
- Buyer mindset: Selective, often not in a rush and willing to wait for the right match
Sonning homes are more discretionary. Buyers have bigger budgets but they’re making slower, more considered moves. Homes priced too ambitiously here can easily stick.
How long is it taking to sell?
- Caversham: 10–13 weeks on average
- Sonning: 12–16 weeks, with longer timelines on premium stock
But that’s just the average. The best-performing homes the ones priced in line with recent sold evidence are agreeing sales in 4–6 weeks. Miss that window and it's common to sit on the market for much longer.
So, Does Timing Matter?
Absolutely.
Lots of sellers held off in 2024 and early 2025 but we’re starting to see that pent-up stock trickling into the market now. The key window? February to May as historically it has always the most active time in both Caversham and Sonning. Then we usually see a second lift in September and October.
But more listings mean more competition, not necessarily more buyers.
Is it a Buyers’ or Sellers’ Market?
Right now? It’s balanced.
- Sellers who price smartly and understand their road, their competition and their buyer pool are still getting results
- Buyers have the time to weigh things up and the confidence to walk away if the value doesn’t feel right
The 2026 outlook
The local market isn’t booming but it is working. Sales are happening. But to get yours done on your timeline, precision is everything.
If you’re thinking of launching this year or wondering what your home would be worth in today’s market, let’s have a chat. We can talk you through the data that actually matters for your road, your style of home and your ideal move date.
Moving Smart: Timing, Strategy and Beating the Portals
Market activity at the start of 2026 appears to be steady with buyers re-entering the market after the holidays and sellers weighing up their next move. Success in this kind of environment doesn’t come from waiting for the ‘perfect moment’ but more from smart timing, realistic expectations and a marketing plan that does more than just tick boxes.
That’s where avocado property’s #BeatThePortals™ campaign comes in. Rather than relying solely on Rightmove or Zoopla to do the heavy lifting, we create a bespoke, pre-portal marketing strategy that builds real momentum before your home even hits the public sites. It’s designed to connect the dots between sellers and serious buyers faster, helping you get ahead of the rush, control your timeline better and move with confidence in a market that rewards preparation.