If you’re thinking of selling your home, you’ve probably asked yourself the age-old question: Is now a good time? The short answer is yes – but the property market is no simple matter, so let’s take a deeper look into why now could be the perfect time to get your home on the market.

Buyers are active

The first Bank of England rate cut in four years has led to a notable increase in buyer activity. Lower interest rates reduce the cost of borrowing, making mortgages more affordable for potential homeowners. As a result, the market saw a 19% surge in inquiries from potential buyers in August 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.*
This suggests that more people are considering buying homes due to lower mortgage rates. The rate cut has effectively re-energised the housing market, encouraging more people to act on their desire to buy, especially as the current economic environment favours homeownership.

Supply remains low

Despite the increased interest from buyers, the supply of homes on the market remains 3% lower than pre-pandemic levels.* A common seasonal trend in the housing market is that after the summer holiday season, many potential sellers delay their plans to sell until the new year. This seasonal slowdown in listings contributes to an already low housing supply, giving existing sellers a significant advantage. In markets where demand exceeds supply, you might be able to price your home more competitively.

Houses are selling

HMRC data shows that 90,210 residential property transactions were completed in August 2024, which is 5% higher than the year before.** This rise in completed transactions suggests a healthy market where not only are buyers actively looking for homes, but they’re also following through and closing deals. Increased buyer confidence, likely driven by the lower interest rates and a relatively stable economy, is leading to a greater volume of sales, which can further reinforce market stability.

House prices are predicted to rise steadily

House prices have shown modest growth in recent months, creating a more balanced and stable housing market. With prices rising steadily but not at an unsustainable pace, the market avoids extremes such as overheating or stagnation. This stable environment allows for reasonable negotiations between buyers and sellers, as buyers feel comfortable making sensible offers on properties that are accurately priced.
This equilibrium is beneficial to both parties: buyers aren’t overpaying, and sellers are more likely to get offers close to their asking price. As the demand from buyers continues to outpace supply, house prices are expected to rise further, albeit at a steady and manageable rate.

Next year is going to be a good one, thanks largely to the lowest mortgage rates for well over a year. This is encouraging a lot of buying and selling activity and is very positive for the UK property market. So, if you are one of those people who was waiting to see what happens, perhaps now you can finally begin your New Year property resolution. We examine various options.

Buy a first home

More competitive mortgage rates and an expanding range of mortgage products are finally enabling first-time homebuyers to enter the property market. The mortgage guarantee scheme, with its renewed deadline of June 30, 2025, is one way in which you may get a foothold inside your own home. Perhaps your resolution is to help a loved one buy their first home. If this is your goal, you have a variety of options, from guarantor mortgages to equity release.

Improve your property

Perhaps you have already found the perfect property, but you want to make improvements. You may be doing this to add to its value or simply want to enjoy a better kitchen, glass door walls, or a stunning garden. Once your renovations are complete, booking a valuation to update the real value of your home can be both exciting and rewarding.

Sell your property

Given that the market's performance has exceeded many expectations, you may be considering selling. There are promising signs that the 2025 market will offer quicker selling times, better selling prices, and very healthy levels of demand. Toward the end of 2024, buyer demand and sales agreed were up 25% compared to the previous year.*

Begin a property portfolio

You may fancy investing in the lettings market. If you are interested in investing in the lettings market, 2025 could be a good year to start. Many retiring landlords are leaving this market; others are wrongly fearful of the Renters’ Rights Bill, which if implemented could improve life for landlords and tenants. This means you may be able to buy ready-to-let properties with tenants in place. This sector needs new entrepreneurs who can meet the high levels of demand for rental homes.

Get the keys to your forever home

Maybe you are looking for your forever home. In this wonderful time in your life, you'll want every detail to be perfect for you and your loved ones. On the other hand, you will most likely have big plans for it. Over the years, these plans may change, and you will want to own a property that offers that flexibility. You may work from home in a workshop, an office, or both and want more space, maybe you want a home with more land. Whatever you are looking for it’s there waiting for you.

Decide to downsize

You may prefer a modest space that gives you more disposable income and choose to downsize into an energy-efficient property. If you own a larger home that has significantly increased in value in recent years, downsizing could be a wise decision. Your home may surprise you and open the doors to a more comfortable retirement, the opportunity to buy a second home, or simply a chance to do all the things you have always wanted to.

Buy a holiday home

Purchasing a holiday home can be a solid investment—a place to unwind while potentially returning income. There is a steady influx of second homes entering the UK property market. This could be your chance to buy the home you have always wanted by the coast, a rural retreat, or perhaps the city escape you can enjoy at the weekends.

Adding value to your home doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Despite common belief, a flashy renovation isn’t the only way to enhance your property’s appeal, in fact, there are plenty of simple and cost-effective touch-ups that could bump up your home’s value. Here are our top tips:

Prevent water damage

Damp can de-value your home substantially, so preventative measures are essential. You can protect your property from water damage by having your gutters and downpipes cleaned out regularly. If your home is older, you should also consider checking for any damaged roof tiles which might need replacing.

A fresh coat of paint

Refreshing your paintwork can make all the difference to your home’s interior and exterior. It might also be worth covering up bold colours with more neutral shades to depersonalise the space and make it look brand new. If your property only needs a slight touch-up, you can save on paint expenses by focusing on noticeable areas such as the fencing, the living room walls, or the front door.

Obtain planning permission

Depending on your location, applying for planning permission might be one of the most worthwhile investments you could make when improving your home. Applications cost around £170 on average, which is a small price to pay when granted planning permission could add thousands to the value of your home.

Focus on the bathroom

Bathrooms are small spaces where you can make impactful changes, so if you’re improving on a budget, your bathroom could be the best place to start. You can create an attractive, modern space with a few simple updates, such as changing the blinds, refreshing the caulk, and replacing the toilet seat.

Enhance the kitchen

The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home. You can improve its appeal without a full remodel by replacing cabinet handles, updating lighting fixtures, or resurfacing countertops. These small changes can give your kitchen a fresh look and increase its attractiveness to potential buyers.

Boost kerb appeal

First impressions matter. Invest some time into landscaping by trimming overgrown bushes, planting colourful flowers, and maintaining a neat lawn. Don’t forget to decorate the front door to reflect the season and consider adding outdoor lighting to make your home more inviting from the kerb.

Upgrade lighting

Modern lighting can transform the ambience of your home. Replace outdated fixtures with energy-efficient LED lights or install dimmer switches to create a more adaptable atmosphere in different rooms.

Add storage solutions

Clever storage solutions can make your home feel more organised and spacious. Install built-in shelves, wardrobe organisers, or under-stair storage to maximise space and showcase your home's potential for buyers.

Energy efficiency improvements

Enhancing your home's energy efficiency not only reduces utility bills but also appeals to environmentally conscious buyers. Consider upgrading insulation, installing double-glazed windows, or investing in energy-efficient appliances to make your home more attractive and economical for potential buyers.

Finding the perfect rental home for tenants and landlords can sometimes be a challenge. However, there is a lot of common ground that, if covered correctly, can make life easier. So, here are ten things to look out for that may help you find the perfect rental home.

A great location

Location is a big factor that should be considered carefully for several reasons. It’s easy to overlook any location’s plus points. So, take a good look at these; they may include proximity to beauty spots, social scenes, transport links, schools, health care, and more. Good neighbourhoods attract a lot of interest, but so do up-and-coming areas.

An energy-efficient property

Energy-efficient properties are in everyone’s interests, and every little thing you do makes an impact. LED lighting to solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and better insulation, all drive down the cost of monthly bills and can help make the property more self-sufficient. Energy-efficient homes are in high demand and can command a higher rent.

Good rooms

A good bathroom and kitchen are always at the top of the list of priorities. But outdoor spaces and bedrooms should not be an afterthought. Many people consider nice outdoor spaces and gardens to be just as important as any other room in the home.

Modern appliances

A built-in dishwasher, a good washing machine, a reliable oven, and a well-maintained heating system make life easier and reduce the risk of mishaps. If appliances are in excellent working order and have excellent energy efficiency ratings, then you are onto a winner.

Discerning decoration

Decorating is important, but presentability and cleanliness are also paramount. It can be better to leave some decoration to the imagination. Going overboard might not be to everyone’s tastes. Putting your stamp on interiors and decoration is something landlords and tenants should do while being mindful of each other.

An attractive property

Tenants want to love where they live, and landlords want to attract tenants, so it’s mutually beneficial to find an attractive property. Tenants should think about what they really want, while landlords should make it possible. Afterall, the needs of a young professional are different from those of a young family.

Keep within your budget

This is a crucial part of planning for landlords and tenants. With today’s spiralling costs, it’s easy to go over budget. However, if you have a budget, you will have a better understanding of how to make allowances to justify these extra costs, if you exceed it. Better yet, it may help you to find a way to recoup them.

A well-maintained property

Whether you choose to opt for a fully managed service or not, well-maintained properties will prevent small issues from becoming costly repairs. Fully managed properties could provide 24/7 property maintenance support, keeping landlords and tenants happy.

A secure deposit

It is a legal requirement for landlords to place tenant deposits in a tenancy protection scheme (TDP). You can use one of the many schemes available. Once again, this is in the interest of both the landlord and the tenant.

A good tenancy agreement

Good letting agents are often a bridge between the burgeoning gap that sometimes appears between landlords and tenants. Tenancy agreements, deposits, property inspections, maintenance, compliance, and viewings are made easier for both tenants and landlords if carried out by an expert.