There are more homes available in Lincoln than there were a few years ago, while demand from buyers has increased at an even faster rate.

According to Walters Property, the supply of homes for sale has increased by around 18%, while demand is up by around 40%.

You might expect that level of demand to push prices up considerably, though that has not really happened. ONS data shows that average house prices in Lincoln have remained relatively steady.

This leaves buyers with an active market, more properties to choose from and prices that have not raced ahead despite the increase in demand.

Not all of those homes will be moving at the same pace either.

If you are already in a position to buy, it could be worth looking more closely at properties that have been on the market for longer, especially where the asking price has already been reduced or similar homes are competing for the same buyers.

Look at How Long the Property Has Been for Sale

A property that has only just come onto the market and already has several interested buyers may leave little room to negotiate.

If it has been listed for several months, had its asking price reduced or there are several similar properties available nearby, the seller may be more willing to consider an offer below the asking price.

That does not mean offering less for the sake of it.

Look at what comparable homes are being advertised for, what similar properties have recently sold for and how long the home you are interested in has been available.

This gives you something more useful to base an offer on than the asking price alone. The seller’s circumstances can matter too.

Someone who has already found their next property may place more value on an offer from a buyer who is ready to proceed than holding out indefinitely for the full asking price.

What Does This Mean for First Time Buyers?

First time buyer prices in Lincoln have also remained relatively consistent.

ONS figures show that first time buyers paid an average of £168,000 in May 2026, compared with £167,000 a year earlier.

For a first time buyer, having more properties available gives you more to compare within your budget rather than changing what you can afford.

If two similar homes are available and one has been on the market considerably longer, that may be the property where it is worth asking whether the seller will move on price.

Being a first time buyer can also put you in a useful position because you do not have a property of your own to sell.

If your mortgage is organised and your deposit is ready, a seller may see your offer as more straightforward than one dependent on a longer property chain.

Know What You Can Afford Before Making an Offer

Before negotiating, you need to know where your own limit is.

We regularly speak to buyers who have worked out what they would like to spend without yet knowing how a lender will assess their affordability.

Your income, regular outgoings, existing borrowing and deposit can all affect how much you may be able to borrow. Different lenders can reach different figures from the same circumstances too.

An Agreement in Principle can give you an indication of what a lender may be prepared to offer. We can typically provide one within 24 hours of your initial appointment.

You can then go into a negotiation knowing what you may be able to borrow and, just as importantly, what you are actually comfortable paying each month.

If a seller rejects your first offer and asks for more, you already know how far you are prepared to move rather than working it out during the negotiation.

The Lender May Not Agree With the Price

Getting an offer accepted does not mean your mortgage lender will value the property at the same amount.

The lender will carry out its own valuation before agreeing the mortgage. If you agree to pay more than the lender considers the property to be worth, it could reduce the amount available to borrow.

You may then need to put down more of your own money, renegotiate the price with the seller or decide not to proceed.

This is particularly worth keeping in mind if negotiations start pushing the price higher. Getting the property is only useful if the mortgage still works once the lender has assessed it.

Is It Worth Looking at the Lincoln Market Now?

Demand for homes in Lincoln has increased, so this is not a market where buyers can assume every seller will negotiate.

There are also more properties available and average prices have remained relatively steady.

If you are thinking about buying, look at the homes that have been available for longer.

Check for previous price reductions, compare them with similar properties nearby and decide what you would genuinely be prepared to pay.

Some sellers will hold firm, whilst others may be ready to accept a sensible offer from someone who can proceed.

Our mortgage advisors in Lincoln can help you work out what you may be able to borrow, arrange an Agreement in Principle and look at suitable mortgage options before you make an offer.

This means you can approach a negotiation knowing your budget rather than trying to sort the mortgage out afterwards.

Date Last Edited: 05/10/2026