A Seat at the Table or a Long Wait in the Queue? CM14 Housing Supply — July 2026
Imagine you’re strolling down Brentwood High Street on a sunny Saturday afternoon. You pop into your favourite coffee shop, but instead of the usual short queue, the line snakes all the way out of the door and halfway down the pavement. You’d probably think twice about staying, wouldn’t you? Well, in the world of CM14 property right now, the volume of homes available for a new owner is quite significant, though the ratio of stock to buyers is beginning to shift compared to last month.
I’m Peter Garland-Collins, and I’ve been looking at the numbers for our patch—stretching from the leafy lanes of Warley over to the bustling corners of Brook Street. If you’ve been wondering what your home is worth lately, think of it like this: if every house in CM14 was a cake in a shop window, there are currently 393 cakes on display. That’s three more than we had in June. But here is the interesting bit: even though stock levels have increased, there is a notable rise in market activity.
Understanding Stock Levels in CM14
We use a specific way to measure the balance of the market, which looks at the relationship between the number of properties currently for sale and the number of successful transactions. It is a way of understanding the level of choice for buyers at any given time.
Right now in CM14, the data shows a supply-to-demand ratio of 16.7. Now, compared to last month, that represents a significant increase in market activity! In June, that figure stood at 25. We have seen the gap between available stock and active buyers narrow by over 8 points in just four weeks. Even with this increase in activity, we are still firmly in what we call a "Buyer’s Market."
To put that in plain English: if you are looking to buy a home, you are the guest of honour at the party. You have plenty of choices—393 of them to be exact—and you don't necessarily have to feel pressured by a lack of options.
How Many People are Actually Moving?
In a typical month here, about 22 families or individuals successfully cross the finish line and buy a home. When you look at the 393 homes sitting on the market, it means about 6% of the available housing supply finds a buyer each month.
Did you know that despite the high levels of choice for buyers, some very big moves are still happening right under our noses? Someone recently spotted a dream home in Brook Street that went for a whopping £8,450,000! Over in Warley, Hartswood House found a new owner for £1,450,000. It shows that whether it’s a cosy flat or a sprawling mansion near London Road, people are still putting down roots in CM14.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you are thinking of selling: You need to be the "best cake in the window." Because there is a high volume of housing supply available, buyers can afford to be picky. There is significant competition for sellers right now. If your home looks tip-top and the price is what people are actually paying (around £414,480 on average lately), you’ll stand out from the crowd. The good news? Market activity is rising, meaning there are more active buyers engaging with the current stock than we saw in May or June.
If you are looking to buy: You are in a fantastic position. You have more negotiating power than you’ve had in a long time due to the current stock levels. You can take a breath, look at a few places in different neighbourhoods, and really make sure the garden or the kitchen is exactly what you want.
If you are staying put: Your home is part of a very desirable area. Even when there is a large amount of choice for buyers, people still want to live in CM14 because of our great schools and high streets. The fact that the supply-to-demand ratio dropped so much this month is a great sign that local confidence is bubbling back up.
So, next time you’re walking past an estate agent’s window in CM14, remember: there’s plenty of choice out there, and the market is finally finding its dancing shoes again.