Spring is typically a prime time in the property market, but 2025 has already proven to be a season full of surprises and opportunities. While we usually expect a flurry of activity, this year’s spring brought a blend of market resilience, shifting trends, and fresh prospects that set us up for a busy and potentially lucrative summer.
A Month of Mixed Messages: Base Rates Down, Stamp Duty Up
April started with good news for homeowners and buyers: falling inflation and a welcome base rate cut to 4.5%. This fuelled optimism and gave mortgage rates a much-needed nudge in the right direction. However, this was soon tempered by changes to stamp duty—the return of the 2% band and a lower stamp-duty-free threshold from 1st April meant that 4 in 5 buyers in England and Northern Ireland would now face higher bills.
Understandably, there were concerns that this might dampen demand or lead to falling prices. Thankfully, the doom-and-gloom predictions didn’t materialise.
The Property Market Holds Its Nerve
Despite fears of a slowdown, the property market has shown real resilience. Both Rightmove and Zoopla reported positive momentum:
- Buyer demand is up compared to last year.
- Fall-through rates have stayed stable.
- A growing number of sellers are coming to market.
- House prices have held firm—with only a modest month-on-month increase but a respectable 1.6% annual growth.
Buyers who missed the stamp duty window haven’t walked away. They’ve shown determination to move forward, which bodes well for transaction levels heading into the summer.
Confidence Returns to the Property Market
According to Rightmove, asking prices unexpectedly rose in April—an average jump of 1.4% (£5,312) from March.
The number of available homes for sale also hit a 10-year high, suggesting that homeowners are confident about their chances of selling.
For buyers, the silver lining is the continuing fall in mortgage rates.
Average 2-year fixed deals are now around 3.79%, while 5-year fixed rates are sitting at 3.83%, making borrowing significantly more affordable than just a few months ago.
A Rental Market on the Rise
Landlords haven’t been left out of the spring surge either. While rental increases were modest, they remained positive. HomeLet’s data showed:
- A 1.6% rent rise in Greater London over the last four weeks.
- A 0.7% rise outside the capital.
This steady growth and improved mortgage deals could create fresh opportunities for landlords looking to expand their portfolios or re-mortgage on more favourable terms.
What This Means for You
Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, rent or let, this spring has laid solid foundations for a busy summer. With more choices, better borrowing rates and high buyer motivation, now could be a smart time to make your next move.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a seasoned landlord, or just considering your options, we’re here to help.
