Ten reasons why now is a great time to move
Home buyers and sellers are coming back to the UK property market in droves, breaking records along the way.
Some home movers are early birds; others have given up waiting, while many are seduced by a beautiful array of inspiring properties and reasonable pricing.
You have more daylight to enjoy viewings
Spring and summer are perfect for getting out in the garden, even if it’s not your own. Longer, lighter evenings give you more time to book and enjoy house viewings. According to Rightmove, January saw a record-breaking 23% increase in valuation requests compared to last year.*
Spring-summer surge
This time of year, often sees an increase in home-moving activity. Winter is over and the yearning for change is in the air. There are not many things that can change your life, like moving to a property you love. Many home movers choose spring, hoping to be in on time to enjoy summer.
0% stamp duty
Stamp duty is due to increase in April 2025. But right now, it’s at 0% for homes up to the value of £250,000 and for first-time buyers up to the value of £425,000, and just 5% between £425,001 and £625,000 on the amount over £425,000.** This reduces the cost of your move.
Sellers are back
Agreed sales were up by 16% in the first six weeks of the year compared with the same time in 2023.* And with the number of homes arriving on the market increasing as ‘For Sale’ signs appear in the locations you love; you know you are closer than ever to finding the property you really want.
Buyers are back
With buyer demand increasing by 11%*** in January compared with last year, buyers have been returning to the market for some time. Momentum is building steadily. Buyers are often sellers too, so they bring more choice to the market. All of this, combined with lowering interest rates, increases confidence in the market.
Best of both worlds with reasonable pricing
Make a good offer and you will be home in no time. This year is great for moving compared with previous years. You will get a good price for your current home with house prices inching up but, you will also get good value for money when buying due to the slowdown in house price inflation last year.
Good news for first-time buyers
With low deposit mortgages, the First Homes scheme offering discounts on new-build homes, affordable starter homes, and helpful savings schemes giving good interest to help you gather a deposit, it’s best to ignore the average house price in the UK mentioned in the news. Many homes are priced below this figure so you can get a footing on the ladder.
Positives for second steppers
If you are moving from a starter home, you will enjoy more demand than any other sector. This means you are in a good place to take a step up. With increasingly competitive interest rates and over 5,000**** mortgage products to choose from, from porting to buying something with the potential to improve, you have a lot of options.
Buy a home higher up the ladder
Homes at the higher end of the ladder are still enjoying lots of room for negotiation. If you are a cash buyer, even better. So, if you have enjoyed a lot of success in recent years and want an extraordinary home, this is your time. As soon as you move into your home, it will start increasing in value as the market warms.
Moving is not stressful with the right agent
Moving does not have to be stressful. As experienced agents combine their local market knowledge with access to a vast database of buyers and sellers, you can’t miss. This makes it easier to find an alternative if a sale falls through. Achieving a good price and finding the home you want is important and good agents make it happen effortlessly.
Make your move magical and stress-free by contacting us today
Rightmove*
GOV.UK**
Zoopla***
Moneyfacts****
This article was originally published by BriefYourMarket and is reproduced here with their permission.
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