With one interest rate cut executed and a stamp duty deadline looming, 2025 is already proving an eventful year for the property market. Stephen Ward looks at what else home buyers and sellers should factor into their planning
As we head through 2025, the UK housing market is evolving, offering new opportunities and challenges for buyers, sellers, and homeowners.
The rush of the post-pandemic boom has subsided, and with interest rates predicted to remain steady or drop slightly, buying a home could become a little easier for many.
So, what could the following months hold in store?
Technology is making buying and selling easier
If you’re buying or selling a property in 2025, expect a more tech-driven experience. Tools like electronic signatures, online property searches, and even blockchain technology are making transactions faster, safer, and more transparent.
Technology is helping to reduce delays and make the process clearer for everyone involved. The property market can be stressful, but steps are being taken to improve the experience.
Conveyancers are working closely with estate agents, lenders, and other professionals to tackle common issues like delays and miscommunication and find tech driven solutions.
If a digital process is important to you, make sure you do your research and find a conveyancer who utilises these tools.
Stamp duty changes
The changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) thresholds were expected to bring a flurry of transactions being completed ahead of the 1 April deadline.
After this, the tax will kick in at £300,000 for first-time buyers, considerably lower than the current £425,000. For all other purchases the threshold will move down to £125,000 from £250,000.
We are also likely to see the effects of the second home stamp duty surcharge which came into effect on 31 October last year. This has hit landlords particularly hard, and it’s likely there will be a number who exit the market.
This was, of course, part of the thinking behind the rate change, and undoubtedly, the government hopes it will help stimulate more first-time buyer activity.
Sellers must now disclose key details
The introduction of material information requirements in property transactions marks a significant shift in how properties are bought and sold.
Under new regulations, sellers must disclose key details—such as leasehold terms, ground rents, and other critical data—early in the process.
This change aims to improve transparency and reduce delays caused by unexpected revelations late in the transaction and it should really start to have an impact in 2025.
Material information should really be a game-changer for the market. Ensuring buyers have all the necessary details upfront could pave the way for a smoother and more efficient process.
Conveyancers and estate agents alike will play a central role in implementing these changes and helping to ensure that buyers are aware of and understand the new information.
Gradual fall in interest rates
After a period of steep interest rate hikes, followed by the glacial falls in late 2024, it is widely speculated that 2025 is set to see further gradual declines in borrowing costs.
While rates remain above pre-pandemic levels, this downward trend offers relief to buyers and could boost mortgage approvals, particularly among the key first time buyer demographic, who account for 49% of purchases nationally.
Tips for buyers and sellers in 2025
To make the most of the market this year, the CLC recommends:
-
Do your research
Know what’s happening in the market and understand the buying or selling process.
-
Choose the right professionals
Work with licensed conveyancers who use modern technology and offer transparent pricing.
-
Focus on your needs
Whether it’s finding an energy-efficient home or getting the best price, prioritise what matters most to you.
-
Be prepared for change
The market is stabilising, but flexibility is key to navigating any unexpected shifts.
By staying informed, choosing the right professionals, and taking advantage of new technology, you can navigate the housing market with confidence.
You can find a list of CLC-regulated conveyancers as well as guides to buying and selling a property here.
Stephen Ward is director of strategy and external relations at the Council for Licensed Conveyancers
