The North Ayrshire market — stock levels, sales agreed, and what's moving.
Free valuation →Covering Irvine (KA11 & KA12) and Kilwinning (KA13).
This month the report expands slightly to include Kilwinning (KA13) alongside Irvine’s traditional postcode areas of KA11 and KA12. As always, the aim is to look beyond the headlines and understand what the numbers are actually telling us about the local property market.
| Metric | May 2026 | vs May 2025 | vs Apr 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Available Stock | 74 | Down from 85 | Up from 61 |
| New Instructions | 34 | Down from 51 | Up from 19 |
| Sales Agreed | 22 | Down from 33 | Up from 20 |
| Days on Market | 77 | Up from 70 | Up from 61 |
KA11 continues to show healthy activity levels, although the market appears more balanced than it was this time last year. The increase in stock and instructions compared to April suggests more homeowners are entering the market heading into summer. However, homes are generally taking longer to sell and agreed sales remain below 2025 levels.
Buyers are still active, but they are taking more time and becoming increasingly selective.
| Metric | May 2026 | vs May 2025 | vs Apr 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Available Stock | 68 | Almost identical to 69 | Down slightly from 72 |
| New Instructions | 27 | Up significantly from 18 | Down from 35 |
| Sales Agreed | 24 | Down from 30 | Down from 29 |
| Days on Market | 69 | Up from 64 | Up slightly from 67 |
KA12 remains relatively stable. Stock levels have barely changed year-on-year, which suggests the balance between supply and demand is fairly consistent. Sales agreed have softened compared to both last month and last year, while selling times have crept up slightly. This points towards a market where buyers still have confidence, but are being more cautious when committing.
| Metric | May 2026 | vs May 2025 | vs Apr 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Available Stock | 94 | Down from 98 | Down from 108 |
| New Instructions | 33 | Down from 38 | Down from 58 |
| Sales Agreed | 20 | Down slightly from 23 | In line with 21 |
| Days on Market | 69 | Up from 63 | Up from 65 |
Kilwinning appears to be moving into a more balanced phase after a particularly busy April. Available stock has reduced noticeably month-to-month, suggesting buyers are still absorbing properties coming to market. Fewer new listings and slightly lower agreed sales indicate a more measured pace compared to earlier in the spring. The increase in days on market mirrors a trend we’re seeing across Ayrshire.
Looking purely at the May figures, no single area wins across every metric — but each is showing a different strength.
KA11 — Most Active Market. KA11 continues to generate the highest levels of market activity, with the strongest level of new instructions, the highest number of sales agreed, and an increase in stock compared to April. While homes are taking longer to sell than they were a year ago, KA11 currently feels like the busiest of the three markets.
KA12 — Most Balanced Market. KA12 remains remarkably steady. Stock levels are almost identical to this time last year and there haven’t been any dramatic swings in activity. For homeowners, that’s often a positive sign — markets that avoid sharp rises and falls tend to be easier to predict and navigate.
KA13 — Tightening Supply. Kilwinning is perhaps the most interesting market of the three. Available stock has fallen significantly since April while sales agreed have remained relatively steady. If that trend continues into the summer, Kilwinning could find itself with the strongest supply-and-demand balance across the three postcode areas.
The wider UK property market continues to be influenced by uncertainty around inflation, interest rates and global events. The conflict involving Iran and concerns around energy prices have contributed to volatility in financial markets during recent months, which in turn has impacted mortgage pricing. While this hasn’t stopped the market, it does appear to be making buyers more cautious and value-conscious than they were during parts of 2024 and 2025.
The rental market across Irvine and Kilwinning remains extremely competitive. Demand for family homes, modernised flats, and well-presented rental properties continues to outstrip supply. Despite the softer sales market, tenant demand remains strong and rental stock remains relatively limited. Many landlords continue to face increasing costs and regulatory pressures, which is restricting the number of new rental properties entering the market. As a result, rental values across much of North Ayrshire remain well supported.
Overall, the local market continues to look relatively healthy, but success increasingly comes down to pricing, presentation and launch strategy rather than simply listing a property online.
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