Spicerhaart PX comments on HMRC property transaction figures

30 April 2025

Neil Knight, divisional director at Spicerhaart Part Exchange and Group Clients, said:

“Another monthly increase in transactions was to be expected as buyers hurried to beat the stamp duty deadline. A key benefactor has been the new build sector as it remained one of the few places where the tight timescales were still achievable. What happens next remains the elephant in the room as the increased cost to buy impacts affordability and inevitably hits transaction numbers.

“Increasing competition on mortgage rates will certainly help to counteract this, as will further movement on the base rate. There’s no question though that builders and developers will still need to respond to this change in the market and explore other avenues and opportunities to stimulate demand and support buyers – in lieu of government support.

“Alongside deposit boosts or equity schemes, we are already seeing increasing enquiries coming through part-exchange or assisted move propositions, helping those already in the market to buy and sell in an efficient and cost-effective way.”