BREAKING NEWS – top 5 stories 08/06/2021

Estate Agent Networking Breaking News

ONLY 17-WORKING DAYS TO COMPLETE TO BEAT PAYING EXTRA SDLT

There are, for a large amount of people who have not yet exchanged, and only 17-working days to get to exchange and completion in time to embrace the Chancellors’ SDLT holiday. With tens of thousands of sales still not over the line, it is going to be a tense time for many agents and solicitors.

Then from the 1st July 2021 to 30th September 2021, a new temporary tapered SDLT system comes into being where you only start to pay SDLT on the amount that you pay for the property above £250,000, if the property is going to be your main residence.

There are different provisions for first time buyers or investment buyers during the period from 1st of July also. Full details on link below.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/stamp-duty-land-tax-temporary-reduced-rates

MORTGAGE LENDING MARKET SEES GROWTH OF LENDING OPTIONS

Lending sentiment is now recovering as in a recent study it has been reported that there are over 4,200 mortgage options available across the lending market, which is at its highest level for nearly a year.

Even more surprising is that lenders are now competing in the high value to low deposit category, especially those looking to borrow with only a 5% deposit. In this market alone there were dozens more products coming to the market in the last month.

GREATER LONDON PROPERTY SECTOR RISES BY OVER 3% IN A YEAR

Though property prices in key areas of the UK have risen at record levels, Greater London has been in the doldrums, but the latest report provided finds there has been an average rise of 3.1%. Good news for this swathe of housing that has been behind the curve.

FIRST HOMES INIATIVE OFFERING 30% DISCOUNTS TO FIRST TIME BUYERS STARTS

The government backed scheme that means people buying their first home can buy it at 70% of its value, has now begun. The idea is that as many as 10,000 of these properties will be available each year.

Owners when selling the property on will do so to new first-time buyers who in turn will get to live in 100% of the property but only have to finance 70% of the purchase price. The scheme of course helps those on lower salaries get the benefit of a better home, including key workers.

ACCORDING TO HALIFAX AVERAGE VALUE OF A HOME NOW A NEW HIGH OF £261,743 

The unsurprising news is that prices continued to rise in May, with the ‘average’ residence in the UK now being worth over £260,000. Good news for those seeing their equity share growing but for first time buyers, a cause for concern as deposits required get even further out of reach.

Andrew Stanton

CEO & Founder Proptech-PR. Proptech Real Estate Influencer, Executive Editor of Estate Agent Networking. Leading PR consultancy in Proptech & Real Estate.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Tenancy fraud costing landlords £266m a month

The latest research from LegalforLandlords reveals that tenancy fraud is costing landlords an estimated £266m a month as 70% of those who fall victim to fraud report being unable to retrieve their losses. LegalforLandlords commissioned a survey of UK landlords* and found that 5% report having been a victim of tenancy fraud. This aligns with…
Read More
Breaking News

Prime London market activity falls,

The latest market insight from Jefferies London has revealed that the prime London market slowed considerably during the second half of 2025, with average monthly transaction levels falling by 31% compared to the first half of the year. Jefferies London analysed property market transactions across prime London postcodes, looking at the average monthly number of…
Read More
Home and Living

Demand for wooden furniture remains strong as homeowners rediscover 1960s interiors

Experts reveal how natural materials and timeless design are bringing an overlooked vintage era back into modern homes Search interest in wooden furniture has remained consistently high over the past 12 months, peaking at its highest levels in spring 2025, as homeowners continue to prioritise natural materials and timeless design. Experts say this growing preference…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

UK postcode study identifies where buyers get the most space for their money

New analysis has revealed the best-value postcodes for buyers: One UK town offers FOUR times more space than the national average. The study, compiled by the experts at Sell House Fast, analysed postcodes across England and Wales to identify where buyers get the most space for their money. Where £100,000 buys the most space in…
Read More
what is happening to house prices
Breaking News

The graduate shortage: who will value Britain’s homes in 2030?

According to RICS, the average qualified surveyor is in their mid-fifties. Couple this with new entrant numbers failing to keep pace with retirements, and the profession faces a critical skills gap at the worst possible time. Ryan Mathews, Managing Director of LRG’s Surveyors division, examines why surveying struggles to attract new talent and what needs…
Read More
Breaking News

62% of letting agents failing to comply

The latest industry insight from The Letting Partnership has found that while Client Money Protection (CMP) is a legal requirement across the lettings sector, 62% of letting agents are failing to clearly display valid CMP certification on their website, highlighting a growing issue around how compliance is demonstrated to landlords and tenants. The Letting Partnership…
Read More