A Seat at the Table with Plenty of Elbow Room, CM15 Market Demand — September 2026
If you took a stroll through our leafy corner of Essex today, from the quiet lanes of Stondon Massey across to the bustling shops of Shenfield, you might assume that every "For Sale" sign is being snatched up the moment the post hits the ground. But did you know that having a higher price tag on your home doesn't always mean there’s a queue of people at the door with chequebooks ready?
Think of the CM15 property market right now like a very large, posh Sunday roast at a local pub. Usually, these roasts are so popular you have to book weeks in advance just to get a chair. But this September, it feels like the landlord has put out a few extra tables and chairs. There’s plenty of food to go around, and you certainly won’t be bumping elbows with the person next to you.
Right now, we are firmly in what we call a "buyer’s market." In plain speak, this means the people looking to buy a home are the ones holding the steering wheel. If you’re searching for a new front door in CM15, you aren't in a mad scramble. You have the luxury of looking at a few different places, sleeping on the decision, and maybe even asking for a slightly better deal.
The Buffet Table is Getting Fuller
The biggest news this month is about choice. Imagine you're at the baker’s and instead of the usual three loaves of bread left on the shelf, there are suddenly a dozen to pick from. Across the CM15 postcode area—including Pilgrim’s Hatch and Kelvedon Hatch—the number of homes available to buy has grown.
We started last month with 270 homes on the market, and that has now climbed to 278. While an extra eight homes might not sound like a stampede, it shows a steady trend: more neighbours are deciding to move, which means more competition for anyone trying to sell. With 278 options out there, a buyer can afford to be a bit "picky."
How Much Honey is Moving in the Jar?
While there are 278 homes waiting for new owners, we are seeing about 18 homes find a buyer every month. To put that into perspective, imagine a jar of honey. If you tip it, the honey moves, but it moves with a thick, slow, and deliberate flow. It’s not a splash of water; it’s a steady movement.
This tells us that while people are definitely still buying—especially at the top end of the market where we’ve seen stunning homes in places like Chivers Road and Middleton Road fetch between £1.9 million and £2.9 million recently—there is no massive rush. The "turnover rate" is about 7%, which confirms that for every home that finds a new owner, there are many others still waiting for their "perfect match."
What does this mean for your garden gate?
If you are looking to sell: You need to make sure your home is the "best in show." Because there are 278 other options in CM15, your home needs to look its best and, most importantly, be priced at a level that makes sense to people. If the price people are actually paying (which is about £564,846 on average lately) is lower than what you’re asking, buyers might just walk to the house next door.
If you are looking to buy: You are in a fantastic position. You have more choice this month than you did last month. You don't need to feel pressured to make a decision in five minutes. Take your time to find the right garden or the perfect kitchen in Shenfield or beyond.
If you are staying put: Even though there is a lot of choice for buyers right now, CM15 remains a highly desirable place to live. The fact that high-value homes are still changing hands shows that our area is still very much a place where people want to plant roots for the long term.