How to access off-market houses

A Quiet Start to the Year Can Be a Powerful Advantage for Buyers - how to access off market houses.

Early January is one of the most strategic moments in the property calendar. While much of the market is only just waking up, serious buyers are already positioning themselves and many of the best opportunities will be agreed before the wider market gains momentum.

In the weeks ahead, we expect an increase in larger family homes coming forward, driven by inheritance tax planning and the recent announcement of the mansion tax. Importantly, a significant proportion of these properties will trade quietly, off market, before ever being publicly launched.

For buyers, this creates opportunity but also complexity.

Values remain nuanced. Motivation varies, pricing is less predictable, and negotiating the right deal requires more than simply identifying the right house. In an uncertain market, having an advisor is not about optimism or caution, it’s about clarity.

At Otters Home Search, we help buyers get ahead early: accessing off-market houses, handling often-avoided negotiations, and ensuring the price and terms agreed genuinely reflect both the property and the prevailing conditions. Our role is to remove uncertainty, not add to it.

If you’re planning a purchase this year, now is the moment to talk. Securing advice early January puts you in front of the market, not chasing it.

Contact us to discuss your plans and secure our services before competition truly returns.

Abbie & Francesca

Otters Home Search