Latest news with #stampDuty
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Home sales jump by a quarter month on month in May following April slump
The number of home sales picked up by a quarter month on month in May following a plunge in April as a stamp duty holiday ended, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) figures. Across the UK, around 81,470 home sales were recorded provisionally in May, which was 25% higher than April but a 12% fall compared with May 2024. Stamp duty discounts became less generous for some homebuyers from April, with people rushing to complete deals before the deadline. Stamp duty applies in England and Northern Ireland. HMRC's report said: 'The increase in transactions for May follows decreased transactions for April, which were likely brought forward into March to take advantage of the higher thresholds.' Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank, said: 'Housing transactions are still clambering back to normal levels after the stamp duty cliff-edge earlier this year.' He added: 'One thing slowing down the process is the vast quantity of stock on the market, which means asking prices need to be kept realistic to trigger activity. 'At this halfway point in the year, the tariff and stamp duty chaos are largely behind us, but tax rise speculation ahead of the Budget could see some buyer hesitation creep back in.' Nick Leeming, chairman of Jackson-Stops, said: 'In the current market, it's essential for sellers to remember there is always demand for a sensibly-priced property.' Nathan Emerson, chief executive officer of property professionals' body Propertymark, said: 'We have seen positivity regarding the number of properties coming to the market.' Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said data from the website indicates that 'new sales are being agreed at the fastest rate for four years, as more homes for sale means more buyers in the market, with the stamp duty changes in the distant past in the minds of home buyers'. He said: 'The market remains on track for 1.15 million sales in 2025, up 5% on 2024 levels as more households move home.' Amy Reynolds, head of sales at London-based estate agent Antony Roberts, said: 'The spring/summer market is traditionally a time when people prefer to move and this is being reflected in transaction numbers. 'There's plenty of desire to buy in the core price ranges and we're also seeing a rise in first-time buyer activity, even though the stamp duty holiday has ended. 'Many are receiving help from family and being driven by pressures in the rental market, where demand far exceeds supply and rental listings have dropped sharply.' Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, said: 'Transaction numbers have risen again as (Bank of England) base rate reductions encourage activity and enable borrowers to plan ahead with more confidence. 'We expect interest rates to fall further from their current level although the pace and size of cuts may be more gradual than the markets thought only a few weeks ago as a result of higher inflation and the wider economic picture. 'In the meantime, lenders continue to trim their mortgage rates as swap rates fall. Easing of criteria should also enable borrowers take on bigger mortgages in coming months.' Several mortgage lenders have recently announced changes to their affordability criteria, enabling some borrowers to take out bigger loans. This follows clarification from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which also launched a discussion paper this week inviting debate on the future of the mortgage market to help support borrowers. Tony Hall, head of business development at Saffron for Intermediaries, said: 'Looking ahead, there are reasons to remain optimistic. 'With summer demand building and more homes coming to market, conditions are gradually shifting in buyers' favour as we move into the second half of the year.' Kevin Roberts, managing director of L&G's mortgage services business, said: 'Today's figures are encouraging for the industry, especially after the flurry of activity we saw in March to beat the stamp duty changes deadline.' Iain McKenzie, chief executive of the Guild of Property Professionals, said: 'The rush to complete in March created an artificial lull, but we are now seeing the return of genuine, underlying demand.' He continued: 'The recent (Bank of England base rate) cut to 4.25% has provided a welcome boost to buyer affordability. 'However, the most significant catalyst is the relaxation of affordability criteria from lenders. By enabling buyers to borrow more and stress-testing against more realistic rates, lenders have unlocked a new wave of purchasing power, playing a crucial role in driving these transactions forward.' He added: 'Buyers now have more choice than they've had for years, which is helping to keep price growth sustainable.'
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Home sales jump by a quarter month on month in May following April slump
The number of home sales picked up by a quarter month on month in May following a plunge in April as a stamp duty holiday ended, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) figures. Across the UK, around 81,470 home sales were recorded provisionally in May, which was 25% higher than April but a 12% fall compared with May 2024. Stamp duty discounts became less generous for some homebuyers from April, with people rushing to complete deals before the deadline. Stamp duty applies in England and Northern Ireland. HMRC's report said: 'The increase in transactions for May follows decreased transactions for April, which were likely brought forward into March to take advantage of the higher thresholds.' Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank, said: 'Housing transactions are still clambering back to normal levels after the stamp duty cliff-edge earlier this year.' He added: 'One thing slowing down the process is the vast quantity of stock on the market, which means asking prices need to be kept realistic to trigger activity. 'At this halfway point in the year, the tariff and stamp duty chaos are largely behind us, but tax rise speculation ahead of the Budget could see some buyer hesitation creep back in.' Nick Leeming, chairman of Jackson-Stops, said: 'In the current market, it's essential for sellers to remember there is always demand for a sensibly-priced property.' Nathan Emerson, chief executive officer of property professionals' body Propertymark, said: 'We have seen positivity regarding the number of properties coming to the market.' Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said data from the website indicates that 'new sales are being agreed at the fastest rate for four years, as more homes for sale means more buyers in the market, with the stamp duty changes in the distant past in the minds of home buyers'. He said: 'The market remains on track for 1.15 million sales in 2025, up 5% on 2024 levels as more households move home.' Amy Reynolds, head of sales at London-based estate agent Antony Roberts, said: 'The spring/summer market is traditionally a time when people prefer to move and this is being reflected in transaction numbers. 'There's plenty of desire to buy in the core price ranges and we're also seeing a rise in first-time buyer activity, even though the stamp duty holiday has ended. 'Many are receiving help from family and being driven by pressures in the rental market, where demand far exceeds supply and rental listings have dropped sharply.' Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, said: 'Transaction numbers have risen again as (Bank of England) base rate reductions encourage activity and enable borrowers to plan ahead with more confidence. 'We expect interest rates to fall further from their current level although the pace and size of cuts may be more gradual than the markets thought only a few weeks ago as a result of higher inflation and the wider economic picture. 'In the meantime, lenders continue to trim their mortgage rates as swap rates fall. Easing of criteria should also enable borrowers take on bigger mortgages in coming months.' Several mortgage lenders have recently announced changes to their affordability criteria, enabling some borrowers to take out bigger loans. This follows clarification from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which also launched a discussion paper this week inviting debate on the future of the mortgage market to help support borrowers. Tony Hall, head of business development at Saffron for Intermediaries, said: 'Looking ahead, there are reasons to remain optimistic. 'With summer demand building and more homes coming to market, conditions are gradually shifting in buyers' favour as we move into the second half of the year.' Kevin Roberts, managing director of L&G's mortgage services business, said: 'Today's figures are encouraging for the industry, especially after the flurry of activity we saw in March to beat the stamp duty changes deadline.'
Daily Telegraph
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Calls to lift NSW stamp duty exemption limit
ANALYSIS With the NSW Budget for 2025–26 to be announced tomorrow, the government's policy decisions on housing are already locked in. But whatever is unveiled, one thing is clear: it's the bank of mum and dad that's already stepping up to support first home buyers. At Loan Market, we've seen guarantor-backed pre-approvals for first home buyers in NSW more than double in the past year. Around 11 per cent of these now involve a parent using their home as security, up from just 5 per cent a year ago. It's a clear signal: more young Australians are leaning on their families, not because they want to but because they have to. MORE: Refinance at the right time to save big And the challenge goes well beyond house prices. Since 2020, rent in Sydney has jumped 44 per cent, while groceries have increased by 27 per cent at the checkout and other costs, like car insurance have soared by more than 40 per cent. These are everyday pressures, not luxuries, and they're making it even harder for people to save. At the same time, seasoned investors have returned to the market with confidence. At Loan Market, we've seen a 31 per cent rise in investor loans year-on-year. If the government is serious about helping first home buyers, the conversation can't stop at housing supply. Stamp duty is one of the biggest upfront costs they face and it's stopping many from even getting close. MORE: Surprise reason you can be black-listed by a bank Right now, full stamp duty exemptions only apply to properties under $800,000, with partial concessions up to $1 million. That might have worked once, but those numbers don't reflect today's reality. Sydney's median house price sits at $1.46 million, according to PropTrack data. Even the median unit price is $820,000, already above the current threshold. Take a couple trying to buy their first apartment at that median price. If they tip over the $800,000 limit, they could be hit with nearly $33,000 in stamp duty. That's on top of their deposit, legal costs, and moving expenses. And if they're hoping to buy a house in Sydney? The median puts any stamp duty support completely out of reach. Some suggest buyers should just look further out. But for many with jobs in the city, family nearby, and deep community ties moving over 40 minutes away simply isn't realistic or fair. More and more, we're seeing first home buyers invest interstate instead, renting out the property while building equity. It's a smart move in tough conditions but it's also a sign of a broken system. Raising the full exemption threshold to $1.5 million, closer to real-world property prices, would make a genuine difference. Buyers would still need to pass strict lender serviceability tests, including a 3 per cent buffer. But it would ease one of the biggest barriers they face. And we can't forget the broader picture. First home buyers keep the market moving. When they step in, others can upsize, downsize or move where they need. When they're shut out, it slows everything down. MORE: Where super is outperforming house price growth Of course, not everyone has parents who can help. And even when they do, it often comes at a cost like delaying retirement, putting travel plans on hold, or shelving downsizing. That's where great brokers make a real difference. They help structure a pathway to reduce the debt and remove the guarantor as soon as it's viable. It's not about cutting corners, it's about smart, sustainable solutions. There's also a case for stamp duty exemptions or concessions to be given to retirees, as well. If empty nesters were encouraged to downsize from their large family homes, there would be more supply in the market for families looking to upsize. Greater supply in the market provides more choice and sustainability in prices. Stamp duty reform has been debated for years. The question now is whether tomorrow's budget will finally shift from talk to action. This isn't just a policy choice. It's an opportunity to back Australians who are doing everything right – working hard, saving hard, and leaning on family when there's no other option. It's time to support the parents who've been carrying the load, and the next generation trying to find their place in the market. It's time to turn intent into action. Here's hoping this budget delivers for those working hardest to get their start or for young Australians to get the same opportunities like others before them. David McQueen is Loan Market CEO
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Calls to lift NSW stamp duty exemption limit
ANALYSIS With the NSW Budget for 2025–26 to be announced tomorrow, the government's policy decisions on housing are already locked in. But whatever is unveiled, one thing is clear: it's the bank of mum and dad that's already stepping up to support first home buyers. At Loan Market, we've seen guarantor-backed pre-approvals for first home buyers in NSW more than double in the past year. Around 11 per cent of these now involve a parent using their home as security, up from just 5 per cent a year ago. It's a clear signal: more young Australians are leaning on their families, not because they want to but because they have to. And the challenge goes well beyond house prices. Since 2020, rent in Sydney has jumped 44 per cent, while groceries have increased by 27 per cent at the checkout and other costs, like car insurance have soared by more than 40 per cent. These are everyday pressures, not luxuries, and they're making it even harder for people to save. At the same time, seasoned investors have returned to the market with confidence. At Loan Market, we've seen a 31 per cent rise in investor loans year-on-year. If the government is serious about helping first home buyers, the conversation can't stop at housing supply. Stamp duty is one of the biggest upfront costs they face and it's stopping many from even getting close. Right now, full stamp duty exemptions only apply to properties under $800,000, with partial concessions up to $1 million. That might have worked once, but those numbers don't reflect today's reality. Sydney's median house price sits at $1.46 million, according to PropTrack data. Even the median unit price is $820,000, already above the current threshold. Take a couple trying to buy their first apartment at that median price. If they tip over the $800,000 limit, they could be hit with nearly $33,000 in stamp duty. That's on top of their deposit, legal costs, and moving expenses. And if they're hoping to buy a house in Sydney? The median puts any stamp duty support completely out of reach. Some suggest buyers should just look further out. But for many with jobs in the city, family nearby, and deep community ties moving over 40 minutes away simply isn't realistic or fair. More and more, we're seeing first home buyers invest interstate instead, renting out the property while building equity. It's a smart move in tough conditions but it's also a sign of a broken system. Raising the full exemption threshold to $1.5 million, closer to real-world property prices, would make a genuine difference. Buyers would still need to pass strict lender serviceability tests, including a 3 per cent buffer. But it would ease one of the biggest barriers they face. And we can't forget the broader picture. First home buyers keep the market moving. When they step in, others can upsize, downsize or move where they need. When they're shut out, it slows everything down. Of course, not everyone has parents who can help. And even when they do, it often comes at a cost like delaying retirement, putting travel plans on hold, or shelving downsizing. That's where great brokers make a real difference. They help structure a pathway to reduce the debt and remove the guarantor as soon as it's viable. It's not about cutting corners, it's about smart, sustainable solutions. There's also a case for stamp duty exemptions or concessions to be given to retirees, as well. If empty nesters were encouraged to downsize from their large family homes, there would be more supply in the market for families looking to upsize. Greater supply in the market provides more choice and sustainability in prices. Stamp duty reform has been debated for years. The question now is whether tomorrow's budget will finally shift from talk to action. This isn't just a policy choice. It's an opportunity to back Australians who are doing everything right – working hard, saving hard, and leaning on family when there's no other option. It's time to support the parents who've been carrying the load, and the next generation trying to find their place in the market. It's time to turn intent into action. Here's hoping this budget delivers for those working hardest to get their start or for young Australians to get the same opportunities like others before them.
Telegraph
17-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Labour should give over-65s a stamp duty ‘freedom pass'
There's a growing problem in the housing market and it's hiding in plain sight. All over the country, large family homes are sitting half-empty. Children have long flown the nest, but their parents remain – more out of necessity than choice. It's not that older homeowners are unwilling to move on. Many would happily swap a high-maintenance house for a smart, well-located flat that suits their needs. But the reality of downsizing in this country is daunting. It's expensive, emotionally taxing, and, in many cases, downright impractical. Stamp duty is one of the biggest barriers. For someone in their 60s or 70s looking to downsize in London or the South East, it's not unusual for the tax bill alone to exceed £25,000. That's enough to stop even the most motivated mover in their tracks. So, here's a proposal for the Government: give homeowners over the age of 65 a one-time exemption from stamp duty, provided they're selling their primary residence and buying a smaller home. Think of it as a Freedom Pass for housing – a way to ease the burden of moving later in life and unlock thousands of family homes in the process. This isn't about forcing people out of their homes. It's about giving empty nesters the financial breathing room to make a decision that suits them – and benefits the wider market. When a couple in Primrose Hill or Clapham move out of a four-bedroom house, it creates space for a growing family to move up the ladder, and a first-time buyer to finally get on it. A single downsizer move can create a ripple effect of transactions. Imagine what this could free up for younger buyers. Almost four million older households, defined as aged 65 or more, under-occupy their homes, according to the English Housing Survey. A quarter have two spare bedrooms, while 40pc have three spare bedrooms and 21pc have four or more. Would cutting stamp duty encourage more people to move and free up some of this space? The closest way we can measure the potential impact of this policy change is to look at when the property tax was suspended during the pandemic. From July 2020 to July 2021, transactions increased by 19pc compared to the previous year. This is according to research from property firm CBRE, which concluded that the stamp duty holiday was key in stimulating this demand. This effect was more greatly pronounced in pricier properties. Average monthly sales of properties priced between £500,000 and £925,000 were 47pc higher than 2017-19, while transactions in the £925,000 to £1.5m price band were 40pc above normal levels. A stamp duty exemption would go a long way to helping free up space for upsizing families and first-time buyers. But we also need to talk about how hard it is for older homeowners to access finance. Some downsizers need to borrow a modest amount to top up their purchase, but if they're no longer in full-time employment, mortgage lenders offer little flexibility. Even those with significant equity and solid financial histories are often shut out of the market. We need more ways for people to access low-risk borrowing later in life. That might mean longer-term mortgages, more flexible affordability criteria or government-backed guarantees. Without this, many empty nesters find themselves asset-rich but trapped – unable to move because the financial system has written them off. Then there's the problem of stock. Downsizing doesn't mean settling for second best. These are buyers who want to stay in the neighbourhoods they love, close to friends, services and familiar routines. Too many new developments aimed at this demographic miss the mark, offering uninspiring homes in peripheral locations. If you've lived for 30 years in Dulwich, why would you move to a boxy flat on the edge of nowhere? Developers need to do better. That means building thoughtful, design-led homes with storage, light, and enough space for the grandchildren to stay. It means walkable neighbourhoods with cafés, shops and transport on the doorstep. And it means understanding that 'downsizing' isn't about giving up – it's about choosing a home that fits the next chapter. If we're serious about unblocking the housing market, we need to start with those who already have homes and might be open to moving, if only the system didn't make it so hard. A one-time stamp duty exemption at 65. Smarter lending for older borrowers. Better, more appealing homes in the right locations. These aren't radical ideas – they're common sense. And if we get them right, we can get the whole market moving again. Jonathan Brandling-Harris is co-founder of House Collective, an estate agency.
