Category archives: Mortgages & General Property News

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rates reverted on 1 April 2025 to pre-September 2022 levels  First-time buyers will have to start paying the tax on any home valued above £300,000  Non-first-time buyers will pay SDLT on properties valued above £125,000. From 1 April 2025, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rates revert to the thresholds prevailing […]

Spring typically offers an uptick in listings, with 70% of homes listed in February and March completing quickly  Buyers have benefited from stable mortgage rates and a wider selection of homes to offer on  Early preparation is crucial for making informed and successful decisions in a competitive market  As spring gets under way, the UK […]

Changes to Stamp Duty and mortgage rates may make now a good time for first-time buyers.  House prices are predicted to rise in 2025, though at a slower pace than before.  Lower mortgage rates have boosted first-time buyers’ budgets, but personal circumstances should guide decisions.  There is a lot to think about when purchasing your […]

It’s 2025 and we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Sex Discrimination Act which, amongst other measures, made it possible for women to get a mortgage without a man’s countersignature.  It’s a great time to reflect on how far we have come in promoting financial equality between the sexes. In recent years, we have […]

With the UK housing market facing an array of problems, experts have suggested almost as many solutions. One concept that could help resolve the current shortcomings is ‘right-sizing.’  ‘Right-sizing’ refers to the process of moving to a more suitable property for your requirements, generally one with fewer bedrooms. Closely related to downsizing, some analysts think […]

The Autumn Budget made the headlines with a host of announcements, mostly on taxation. Housing did not play a large part in the key fiscal event, but there are a few points to be aware of.  Second homes  From 31 October 2024, people buying a second home pay an extra 2% of the entire property […]

Significant gains for homeowners over 20 years  Analysis reveals1 that UK homeowners who purchased their properties in the last 20 years have seen an average increase of £80,000 in value. In comparison, those who sold within the last year made an average gain of £65,000. Homes in high-value areas and commuter towns, including the Cotswolds […]

Are you looking to move house in 2025? If so, a recent study1 has found that the most desirable property type for 49% of people is a ‘freshen-upper,’ with prospective buyers keen to personalise their new home with small scale improvements.  The days of the full ‘fixer-upper’ property are fading, as time-poor purchasers increasing look to […]

In the latter part of 2024, the UK housing market experienced robust sales momentum, driven largely by higher disposable incomes and easing rates on some mortgages. What can we expect for the housing market as we enter 2025?  Last year marked the highest level of new sales since late 2020, with house prices rising modestly […]

Selling a house is the biggest financial deal many people will ever make. Understandably, sellers want to get the best possible price; new research1 has cautioned, however, that aiming too high is not without risk.  Discount dangers  Analysis by Rightmove of sales over the past five years has revealed the risks associated with pricing your […]