Related topic: Housing market

The trade body says proposed Budget measures would fail to raise meaningful revenue and could instead choke off economic growth.

Sentiment suggests this muted picture is likely to persist into early 2026.

First-time buyers are the largest group of home buyers, accounting for half of all new mortgages for home purchase.

Stamp duty hits four in five homeowners and two in five first-time buyers across the country.

Over the past 12 months prices have grown by 1.3%, the slowest annual rate since April 2024. 

The proposals are also estimated to save first-time buyers £710 on average.

38% said they’re specifically worried about being able to afford stamp duty on a new home.

49,000 property chains tied up buyers and sellers in the last year alone.

Northern Ireland remains the strongest performer by a wide margin.

Santander joins the OPDA to further industry engagement on tackling the inefficiencies in the home buying and selling process.