Spicerhaart Part Exchange comments on HMRC property transactions

30 September 2026

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

“A dip in transactions comes as no real surprise given the state of play in the market and wider economy over the past few months. Buyers and sellers have had plenty of reasons to pause and hesitate with so much volatility and uncertainty. Add to this concerns about a potential base rate rise, inflation climbing further and growing speculation around the Budget and this could remain the picture for a little while longer. But the desire to move has not gone away. Much of it is simply stuck and that is where the right support makes all the difference.

“The Government’s new Your First Home scheme is clearly a welcome boost for first-time buyers and the new-build sector. But a healthy housing market needs movement at every rung of the ladder. Alongside those taking their first step, we also need those to move up, move on or downsize. Right now, many of those movers are stuck, either through higher borrowing costs, fragile chains or the fear of not being able to sell.

“In the current climate, developers are continuing to turn to incentives such as part exchange and assisted move to reduce the barriers and keep transactions moving – so much so, we are seeing around 150 part exchange instructions through our branch network each month. Rather than just a sweetener, it is becoming a strategic tool that gives buyers certainty and turns interest into reservations.”