March has confirmed a clear shift towards a more balanced property market across Kent and the South East. We are no longer seeing rapid price growth, but equally there is no downturn. Instead, stability is returning, creating an environment where performance is driven by strategy rather than market momentum.
At Jaox Ltd, we track key market data monthly to ensure our decisions remain grounded in real activity, not headlines.
Sales Market: More Choice, Stronger Negotiation
The sales market has seen a modest seasonal uplift, with asking prices increasing by 0.8 percent to £371,042. However, supply is the defining factor. The number of homes for sale is now at its highest level for this time of year in 11 years, giving buyers greater choice and leverage.
This is reflected in longer transaction times, with the average time to secure a buyer now 73 days. Despite this, agreed sales remain resilient, sitting 2 percent behind last year but 5 percent ahead of 2024, showing that demand is still present for well priced assets.
Across Kent, buyer behaviour is more cautious, particularly at higher price points. Demand continues to be supported by London migration, with strong inflows into Dartford, Maidstone and Folkestone. However, this trend is beginning to stabilise.
Pricing remains mixed, with Kent overall down around 5 percent year on year, while some areas remain flat or show modest growth. This variation is where opportunity exists for investors who can identify value.
Rental Market: Easing but Still Undersupplied
The rental market is also moving towards balance. Demand has reduced by 14 percent year on year, while supply has increased by 11 percent. Enquiries per property have fallen to 4.8, and the average time to let is now around 20 days.
Despite this, supply remains constrained, with rental stock still 23 percent below pre pandemic levels. As a result, rents remain stable, with projected growth of 2 to 3 percent through 2026. In the South East, average rents sit at approximately £1,397 per calendar month, with annual growth of 1.9 percent.
Our Strategy in This Market
This is a market that rewards disciplined buying and strong execution.
Our focus remains on acquiring mixed use properties and small blocks of flats, particularly in areas such as Folkestone where rental demand is consistent. These assets allow us to generate income while creating value through refurbishment and improved management.
Alongside this, we continue to refurbish and resell three bedroom houses, targeting the family home market where demand remains resilient and improvements can still drive strong uplift.
This approach ensures that returns are created through strategy and delivery, not reliance on market growth .
Investor Insight
For investors, this market offers a clear advantage. With increased stock, wider negotiation margins and stable rental demand, opportunities are available for those who buy well and execute effectively.
As always, our focus remains on protecting capital, delivering consistent returns, and ensuring every project is structured with multiple exit strategies.
If you would like to discuss how these trends apply to a specific opportunity, we are always happy to share what we are seeing on the ground.