New Year, Fresh Start: Here’s how to make the right move in 2025

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Ad - Chiswick Estate Agents Horton and Garton give some insights

New Year, Fresh Start: Here’s how to make the right move in 2025

As the festive season approaches and the year winds down, many of us reflect on the changes we’d like to make in the coming months. If moving house is on your horizon, the break might serve as the perfect time to start planning.

Here are some pointers from the team at Horton and Garton to help with the all-important planning stages before you contact sales agents about your intentions to move.

Be mindful of looming deadlines

For homeowners in Chiswick, especially those with properties valued around £600,000, who are planning to sell in 2025 it is sensible to consider doing so in the early part of the year. The forthcoming changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) in April 2025 will significantly affect first-time buyers, among other changes either already in effect or on their way, the tax-free purchase threshold will drop from £625,000 to £500,000. For properties exceeding this value, first-time buyers will face standard SDLT rates on the entire purchase price.

This shift will directly impact properties around the £600,000 mark, where SDLT for first-time buyers will rise sharply—from £8,750 to £20,000, an increase of 128%.

With such huge hikes in tax, Horton and Garton expect to see heightened interest in January and February, particularly for properties in this price bracket, as motivated buyers aim to beat the deadline.

Furthermore, with conveyancing in London typically taking eight to twelve weeks, home movers need to secure a property by the end of January to realistically meet the deadline. Delays beyond this point can lead to significant pressure, with both parties racing against time to meet the SDLT cut-off.

Get ahead of the new year rush

For buyers who wish to successfully secure a home in 2025, the best strategy is to get ahead of the crowd. Registering your interest ensures you’re first in line when new properties come to market—or even when off-market opportunities arise. Sharing your exact search criteria, including budget, preferred property type, and location, increases your chances of being matched with a home that meets your needs before it’s widely advertised.

Sellers can also take steps to prepare. Engaging a solicitor before your property is listed helps to streamline the conveyancing process. Ensuring all paperwork—such as title deeds, planning permissions, and guarantees—is in order will make your home more attractive to buyers who are keen to move quickly. Selling can often feel like a chicken and egg scenario, take advice from your estate agent on the best strategy to suit your plans at the time you are entering the market.

Food for thought over the festive break

While the property market traditionally slows down in December, and 2024 has been no exception, January is typically one of the busiest months of the year for estate agents. Our diaries can quickly become filled with market appraisals in the first few weeks of the year, those sellers who know they’ll be seeking advice can take steps now to have themselves ready to go when everyone returns to normality after Christmas.

Getting ahead of the crowd can be an advantageous step to ensure your plans to move complete successfully, this applies to both sellers and buyers. Whether it be registering your interest as a serious buyer or talking to your mortgage broker to secure your Mortgage in Principle, buyers who are focused on buying a property in the first 3 months of 2025 should be taking action.

As seasoned experts with decades of experience in the local market, our team is here to help. Contact us for advice or to discuss your plans—we’re ready to help make 2025 the year you find your perfect new home or secure the best sale for your property.

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December 20, 2024