Homeowners of five-bedroom properties without a mortgage could unlock almost £500,000 by downsizing, research suggests. Analysis by Rightmove highlights the cash-equity release...
Archive
![Tax Break: new call for stamp duty help to free-up larger homes](/upload/images/shutterstock_1926931358.jpg)
A building society is calling for stamp duty reforms to incentivise downsizing. A statement from the Suffolk Building Society says it believes...
06 August 2024
From: Breaking News
![For More Valuations, make that call!](/upload/images/adv-2021/Guides%20%26%20Tips/EAT_Guides_Tips_July24.png)
With more than 25 years’ experience as an estate agent, Liza Daniels heads up our outsourced call service, Managed MovePal. She...
24 July 2024
From: Marketing & Social Media
![TwentyEA: Increasing numbers of landlords ‘selling-up’](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/HouseForSale_400x310.png)
There’s been a “substantial rise” in landlords exiting the market or downsizing their portfolios, analysis by TwentyEA has found. Figures from the...
18 July 2024
From: Breaking News
![General Election: estate agents react to Tory manifesto](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews3-400x310.png)
The Conservative Party’s General Election manifesto has committed to resurrecting the Help to Buy Equity Loan Scheme and temporarily removing Capital...
12 June 2024
From: Breaking News
![LRG sets out its stall for election 2024](/upload/images/3%20--%20Proofed%20--%20LRG%20sets%20out%20its%20stall%20for%20election%202024%20Part1%20by%20EAT%20team.jpg)
With election day looming, in the first of a series of articles, experts from property services organisation, Leaders Romans Group, offer...
01 June 2024
From: Features
![Stamp Duty Revolution - call for sellers to pay instead of buyers](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/StampDuty1_400x310.png)
A prominent estate agent has started an online petition to reverse stamp duty so it is paid by the vendor, not...
30 April 2024
From: Breaking News
![Owners deterred from downsizing by cost and hassle of moving](/upload/images/shutterstock_615338360.jpg)
The cost and time consuming nature of the house moving process is deterring older owners from downsizing, it’s been alleged. An upfront...
18 April 2024
From: Breaking News
![Downsizing incentives needed as homeowners stay put for longer - research](/upload/images/shutterstock_1225486768.jpg)
Homeowners, particularly those in larger homes are staying put for longer, research shows. Analysis of Land Registry data between 2019 and 2022...
20 March 2024
From: Breaking News
![Revealed! The areas where downsizers could earn the most (and free-up housing stock)](/upload/images/shutterstock_1274515549.jpg)
Downsizers across England and Wales could unlock an average £305,090 by moving from a four bed to a two-bed home, according...
22 February 2024
From: Breaking News
![Autumn Statement: Treasury pledges £3m to ‘improve homebuying process'](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Property%20Budget.jpg)
The Autumn Statement ended up being silent on Stamp Duty reforms and direct housing market stimulus but there were some nuggets...
23 November 2023
From: Breaking News
![Stamp Duty cut could be bad for first-time buyers -warning](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/StampDuty_400x310.png)
Rumours about tax cuts in this week’s Autumn Statement are continuing but there are warnings that a Stamp Duty cut may...
21 November 2023
From: Breaking News
![Chancellor urged to introduce Stamp Duty cut for downsizers](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/StampDuty-Image--400x310.png)
Agency brand Chestertons has joined calls for Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to include Stamp Duty reform in his Autumn Statement. Hunt will deliver...
10 November 2023
From: Breaking News
![How trading down can help save you money and live a little](/upload/images/__thumbs/3%20shutterstock_2049557726.jpg/3%20shutterstock_2049557726__400x267.jpg)
By Kevin Shaw, National Sales Managing Director, Leaders Romans Group As the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact the UK, many of us...
28 October 2023
From: Features
![Bank of Family foot the bill to get young people on housing ladder](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/AdultChildren-400x310.png)
There’s growing evidence that wider family members - not just Mum and Dad - are stumping up cash to help younger...
03 October 2023
From: Breaking News
![Downsizers willing to move but held back by lack of stock - Savills](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/HousePriceDrop-400x310.png)
A lack of stock and emotional attachment are the biggest constraints stopping homeowners from downsizing, research suggests. Analysis by Savills found half...
19 September 2023
From: Breaking News
![Survey reveals demand for downsizing](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Help%20to%20buy%20equity%20loan.jpg)
A third of those opting to move home in the current market are downsizers, research claims. However, it’s not the increased cost...
25 August 2023
From: Breaking News
![Homeowners considering downsizing and even renting to avoid rising mortgage costs](/upload/images/shutterstock_1990871495.jpg)
A quarter of homeowners are considering selling up and going back to renting amid rising mortgage costs. New Moneyfacts figures shows the...
22 June 2023
From: Breaking News
![Mortgage rates surpass 6% in new blow for housing market](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/MortgageRatesIncrease_400x310.png)
Mortgage rates have officially broken the 6% barrier. Average rates for home loans are now back at the level that prompted the...
20 June 2023
From: Breaking News
![Home mover activity hits record low but buyers are getting younger](/upload/images/shutterstock_1998755405.jpg)
The average age of a UK home mover has dropped but the number of actual moves has hit a record low,...
30 May 2023
From: Breaking News
![Money saving tips for movers as costs rise 24%](/upload/images/__thumbs/Money%20saving%20tips%20for%20movers%20as%20costs%20rise.jpg/Money%20saving%20tips%20for%20movers%20as%20costs%20rise__400x313.jpg)
The cost of moving home has soared in the past year, new figures reveal. According to new data compiled by insurers Admiral...
20 May 2023
From: Features
![Housing policy must go beyond election cycles - warning](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/NewBuild-3-400x310.png)
Housing policy formation must go beyond electoral cycles, academics have warned. A group of Cambridge University alumni has teamed up to urge...
05 May 2023
From: Breaking News
![Homeowners ‘more open to downsizing’ amid higher living costs - claim](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Help%20to%20buy%20equity%20loan.jpg)
Higher energy costs and rising interest rates are leading to a surge in the number of homeowners looking to downsize, a...
24 April 2023
From: Breaking News
![Housing Secretary: UK property supply and standards are broken](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/UKHomesTraditional-400x310.png)
The property market is broken, Housing Secretary Michael Gove acknowledged yesterday. Despite the Conservative Party being in power since 2010, Gove insisted...
04 April 2023
From: Breaking News
![Competitive mortgage market ‘may dampen downsizing boom’](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews-400x310.png)
A more competitive mortgage market may actually dampen hopes of a downsizing boom, an agent has predicted. Many property professionals last year...
17 March 2023
From: Breaking News
![Downsizing incentives and first-time buyer support top Budget wishlist](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Shutterstock_374810995%20small.png)
From first-time buyer support to Stamp Duty changes or just doing nothing at all, there is plenty that agents and property...
13 March 2023
From: Breaking News
![Downsizing on the rise amid cost of living crisis](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/StressedTenant-2-400x310.png)
Record energy bills and the cost-of-living crisis has prompted a surge in downsizing activity over the past 12 months, new research...
03 February 2023
From: Breaking News
![Winkworth was second most active agent for exchanges in 2022 - claim](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyFinancing-400x310.png)
Winkworth agents ranked second when it came to property exchanges in London last year, the franchise agency brand claims. A trading update...
12 January 2023
From: Breaking News
![Owners risk living in unsuitable homes due to stress of moving - warning](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/StressedTenant-400x310.png)
Homebuyers have highlighted the most stressful aspects of a property purchase, and agents appear to be off the hook. Analysis by conveyancing...
09 January 2023
From: Breaking News
![Homeowners consider downsizing to tackle rising mortgage costs - claim](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/mortgage-400x310.png)
Homeowners are starting to consider solutions to deal with their rising monthly mortgage costs including downsizing, research claims. A survey of more...
22 December 2022
From: Breaking News
!['Once in a generation homes' set to hit the market](/upload/images/Logos/Winkworth-logo400x310.png)
Downsizers could help drive the sales market as owners look to cut energy and maintenance costs, Winkworth claims. Dominic Agace, chief executive...
16 November 2022
From: Breaking News
![Downsizing ‘a consideration’ as homeowners struggle with mortgages](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Rental%20Market/Fine-2-400x310.png)
A third of adults are struggling to pay their monthly rent or mortgage payments, new data shows. The figures from the Office...
26 October 2022
From: Breaking News
![The Do’s & Don’ts When Downsizing](/upload/images/Developments%20%26%20Projects/Kebbell_400x310.png)
Empty nesters may be considering downsizing their home this September as their children set off to university, whilst other downsizers are...
05 September 2022
From: Marketing & Social Media
![Savills calls for change in attitudes to downsizing](/upload/images/library/Savills-NEW-logo400x310.png)
Downsizing could become more attractive to older homeowners as the cost of living crisis intensifies, Savills claims. It comes as analysis by...
01 September 2022
From: Breaking News
![Buyers back stamp duty cut for downsizing pensioners](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/RetirementLiving-1-400x310.jpg)
There are whispers in Whitehall about plans to encourage pensioners to downsize with a stamp duty tax break. The move, first reported...
26 May 2022
From: Breaking News
![First Time Buyers in hotspot to get £5,000 public cash for deposit](/upload/images/library/Deposit-1-400x310.jpg)
A scheme to help people to get on the housing ladder in one of the UK’s most expensive local housing markets...
09 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![Office demand surges - so are major cities returning to normal?](/upload/images/library/BusyCrowdofPeople-400x310.jpg)
Rightmove says the level of business owners enquiring about leasing office space has now surpassed even pre-pandemic levels in January. Demand is...
09 February 2022
From: Breaking News
![Call for under-occupying older owners to downsize](/upload/images/library/Downsizing-400x310.jpg)
Research suggests there are substantial numbers of older Londoners using too-large properties but unable to downsize because of a lack of...
04 February 2022
From: Breaking News
![The Old Story - agents tell government to make it easier to downsize](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/RetirementLiving-1-400x310.jpg)
There’s a rising number of over-65s but a short supply of suitable affordable properties for them, Propertymark has told government. The agents’...
18 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![Is your business ready to offer the best digital experience to your customers?](/upload/images/PropTech%20%26%20Online/OnlineAgents-1-400x310.jpg)
In this thought leadership article, Videosign CEO Steven Tallant looks at electronic signatures and conveyancing and whether the time is nigh for the...
16 October 2021
From: Features
![Stamp Duty: should it change to promote much more downsizing?](/upload/images/Politics%20(MPs%2C%20party%20logos%2C%20etc)/RishiSunak-400x310.jpg)
An interesting demand has been made of Chancellor Rishi Sunak - to consider reforming stamp duty with thresholds revised to reflect...
06 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![Phil Spencer - Why agents MUST get their communications right](/upload/images/Site%20logos/PhilSpencer-EAT-LAT-2020-400x310.jpg)
Day in, day out, I see how good estate agents really are. Whether it’s in my day job on Location, Location, Location...
06 September 2021
From: Breaking News
![Agents back First Homes - but should government do more to boost supply?](/img/default/eat.png)
Agents have given their backing to the government’s First Homes initiative, offering discounted houses for local people and key workers and...
07 June 2021
From: Breaking News
![Calls grow to reform ALL property taxes, not just stamp duty](/img/default/eat.png)
Pressure is building for widespread property tax reform beyond short term issues regarding stamp duty. Many MPs in this week’s 65-minute special...
05 February 2021
From: Breaking News
![Stamp Duty Offset Mortgage launched for borrowers who miss deadline](/img/default/eat.png)
A mortgage has been launched targeting borrowers who believe they are unlikely to complete their purchase before the stamp duty holiday’s...
05 February 2021
From: Breaking News
The caveat emptor of buying a new house is ‘Let The Buyer Beware.’ This is especially the case for homes that have an ageing boiler. Before...
29 October 2020
From: Sponsored Content
![Agencies’ ‘hub’ business model may apply in other industries](/img/default/eat.png)
The so-called hub model of estate agency adopted by a growing number of firms appears to be part of a wider...
29 October 2020
From: Breaking News
![Call for mortgage guarantee scheme plus longer stamp duty holiday](/img/default/eat.png)
The National Association of Estate Agents wants the government to initiate a mortgage guarantee scheme to encourage more 95 per cent...
20 October 2020
From: Breaking News
![Property Jobs Today: Movers and shakers and new appointments](/img/default/eat.png)
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of PJT - we know some agencies are reshaping their structures and downsizing but this...
17 August 2020
From: Breaking News
![Fall throughs – the impact and the solutions revealed: Part Two](/img/default/eat.png)
In the second of a series of articles, Emma Vigus, Managing Director of mio, the Estate Agents Sales Progression platform, explores...
11 July 2020
From: Features
![Downsizers should get stamp duty cuts just like first timers - call](/img/default/eat.png)
Family houses are under-occupied and only incentives to downsize can help improve the housing market - with a stamp duty cut...
03 June 2020
From: Breaking News
![First insight into buyers’ and sellers’ changing priorities post-virus](/img/default/eat.png)
Savills has given the industry an insight into how buyers’ and sellers’ priorities may change as the industry returns to work...
06 May 2020
From: Breaking News
![New campaign wants controlled viewings, loans for buyers and SDLT holiday](/img/default/eat.png)
NAEA Propertymark has today launched a campaign for the government to introduce what it calls a Property Sector Support Package. This would...
01 May 2020
From: Breaking News
![New ‘silver’ website bans agents and bids to cut downsizing](/img/default/eat.png)
A new website called Silver Sharers says it’s chief objective is to help older home owners remain in their properties without...
23 January 2020
From: Breaking News
![Equity Release market drops at last after years of growth](/img/default/eat.png)
It looks like the Equity Release bubble may have burst, with latest figures showing a four per cent fall in the...
21 January 2020
From: Breaking News
![Why agents need to embrace the incremental revenue](/img/default/eat.png)
It’s easier than you might think. For any agent the challenge of making a business successful is hard work with the focus...
20 November 2019
From: Features
![Call to scrap stamp duty for so-called ‘last time buyers’](/img/default/eat.png)
An equity release specialist says the scrapping of stamp duty for so-called last time buyers would lead to more downsizing, freeing...
16 October 2019
From: Breaking News
![Stamp Duty: would these three radical reforms work?](/img/default/eat.png)
A blog for the British Property Federation has come up with three radically different proposals for stamp duty, providing food for...
13 September 2019
From: Breaking News
![Property Jobs Today - the industry's latest moves and appointments](/img/default/eat.png)
Yes it’s Monday, so it’s another edition of PJT, your guide to the key moves and changes in the agency and...
12 August 2019
From: Breaking News
![Stamp duty uncertainty could bring market ‘to a grinding halt’ says online boss](/img/default/eat.png)
Speculation surrounding whether Boris Johnson will honour his pledge to reduce stamp duty risks bringing the housing market “to a grinding...
07 August 2019
From: Breaking News
![Stamp Duty campaign hots up: top bank wants incentive for downsizers](/img/default/eat.png)
A report by Santander says stamp duty cuts should be used as incentives for older home owners to downsize and allow...
02 August 2019
From: Breaking News
![Equity release firm woos downsizers with claims of record high wealth](/img/default/eat.png)
An equity release provider says there is now £382 billion worth of equity available within older homeowners’ properties following recent house...
29 July 2019
From: Breaking News
![New evidence suggests equity release hurting transaction volumes](/img/default/eat.png)
There’s more ammunition today for those agents who argue that equity release stops people moving and thus cuts the number of...
19 July 2019
From: Breaking News
![Praise for estate agency diversifying into equity release](/img/default/eat.png)
Specialist providers catering for the over-50s has welcomed a move by high-end estate agency Knight Frank to move into equity release. Commenting...
11 July 2019
From: Breaking News
![Another boost for Equity Release: does it lead to fewer house sales?](/img/default/eat.png)
Retired homeowners are increasingly using property wealth to clear unsecured debts and mortgages to strengthen their later life finances, a new...
24 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Replace stamp duty with tax on house sale profits, urges finance chief](/img/default/eat.png)
An outspoken building society chief has taken the unusual step of calling for stamp duty to be replaced by capital gains...
23 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Equity release chiefs upbeat after record-breaking quarter](/img/default/eat.png)
Equity release, seen by many agents as a reason why fewer older homeowners are downsizing these days, has reported more growth...
07 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![The problems with incentivising downsizing through stamp duty](/img/default/eat.png)
The issue of ‘intergenerational fairness’ has been raised in recent weeks, some might say somewhat ironically by a House of Lords’...
04 May 2019
From: Features
![Explained - the future of tenant referencing after the fees ban](/img/default/eat.png)
Low risk letting is everyone’s aim, but unless legitimate guidelines are followed it’s difficult to know if a tenant will prove...
17 April 2019
From: Features
![Bad news for transactions as Equity Release grows again](/img/default/eat.png)
New figures from the Equity Release Council suggest more growth in this sector, alarming those agents who see this as a...
03 April 2019
From: Breaking News
![Why age-proofing homes could lead to market stagnation](/img/default/eat.png)
A survey by the Centre for Ageing Better recently showed that 72% of people want to see every new home built...
16 March 2019
From: Features
![AML Fines for estate agents published](/img/default/eat.png)
Estate agent anti-money laundering (AML) compliance is under scrutiny again following the publication of figures detailing the fines levied for AML...
13 March 2019
From: Sponsored Content
![PropTech Today: $200m investment for a storage firm – where is the potential?](/img/default/eat.png)
A couple of weeks ago, SoftBank’s Vision Fund led a whopping $200 million investment injection into Clutter, the US-based on-demand storage...
06 March 2019
From: Breaking News
![Number of movers now only half the level before financial crisis](/img/default/eat.png)
The number of movers has declined by around 50 per cent since the halcyon days of 2006, before the global financial...
20 February 2019
From: Breaking News
![More equity release growth means fewer downsizers selling up](/img/default/eat.png)
There’s been more growth in the equity release sector, suggesting that fewer older owners are downsizing and are instead using their...
13 February 2019
From: Breaking News
![Brexit: where does our industry stand? and where do you stand?](/img/default/eat.png)
It’s the word on everyone’s lips: after two and a half years of debate, and months before that leading up to...
11 January 2019
From: Breaking News
![Top tips - how to make your letting agency more efficient](/img/default/eat.png)
For any business, regardless of size, age or industry, operating efficiently is fundamental to your success. When faced with challenges like we...
31 October 2018
From: Features
![New portal claims to offer an alternative to part-exchange](/img/default/eat.png)
A service which describes itself as an alternative to part exchange has been launched to facilitate sales to ‘corporate property buyers’. It’s...
17 October 2018
From: Breaking News
![Is the surge in Equity Release killing the downsizing market?](/img/default/eat.png)
The rise and rise of Equity Release continues with a more-than-doubling of the number of product options on the market in...
25 September 2018
From: Breaking News
![Downsizing stamp duty exemption 'would boost market and Treasury'](/img/default/eat.png)
Over a fifth of pensioners say they would be encouraged to downsize if there was a stamp duty incentive - particularly...
30 August 2018
From: Breaking News
![Should equity release be taxed to encourage down-sizing?](/img/default/eat.png)
There’s little doubt that downsizing is less of a factor in the housing market than it used to be - so...
25 August 2018
From: Features
![Stamp Duty - should downsizing pensioners be exempt?](/img/default/eat.png)
There’s been another call for the government to reform stamp duty - and this time the request is that the duty...
15 August 2018
From: Breaking News
![Agents seeing more demand from downsizers, says equity release firm](/img/default/eat.png)
An equity release consultancy says the result of its survey of estate agencies suggest an increase in interest from prospective downsizers. The...
02 August 2018
From: Breaking News
![London house prices set to fall next year as well as this - PwC](/img/default/eat.png)
House prices in London are projected to fall in the short-term, down by two per cent by the end of 2018...
17 July 2018
From: Breaking News
![Agents clash over whether prime London still appeals to investors](/img/default/eat.png)
Prime London’s transactions are now the preserve of so-called ‘needs-based buyers’ and not investors according to high-end agency Knight Frank -...
21 June 2018
From: Breaking News
!['Perfect storm' for agents involved in retirement housing sales](/img/default/eat.png)
The retirement housing sector has increased its market share considerably in the last two years, creating a 'perfect storm' for estate...
24 May 2018
From: Breaking News
![Massive wealth of older owners and buyers revealed by new survey](/img/default/eat.png)
The massive wealth of owners over 55 has been revealed by a new survey. They own £938 billion of UK housing, a figure...
02 May 2018
From: Breaking News
![Downsizing just not on the agenda for most older owners, warns bank](/img/default/eat.png)
Some 45 per cent of so-called Empty Nesters - older owners whose children have left home permanently - say they are...
30 April 2018
From: Breaking News
![Big surge in equity release as more older owners choose not to downsize](/img/default/eat.png)
There has been a big rise in activity in the equity release market based on data from the first quarter of...
19 April 2018
From: Breaking News
![Revealed - discounts on prime properties achieved by buying agency](/img/default/eat.png)
The well-respected buying agency Black Brick has revealed the scale of discounts it secures on prime properties being sold for different...
22 February 2018
From: Breaking News
![Property wealth: More bad news for the young](/img/default/eat.png)
It’s not breaking new ground to say that younger people have what many regard as the raw end of the deal...
02 December 2017
From: Features
!['Stamp duty is UK's worst tax - scrap it to help housing market'](/img/default/eat.png)
Stamp duty on property sales is gumming up the housing market, stopping people from moving to the jobs they need, and...
31 October 2017
From: Breaking News
![Three reasons why we need stamp duty reform](/img/default/eat.png)
Whenever any research is released, part of me can’t help thinking of that old adage, ‘lies, damn lies and statistics’ especially...
02 September 2017
From: Features
![Not just stamp duty: Treasury gets record Inheritance Tax income](/img/default/eat.png)
An analysis of data from HM Revenue and Customs reveals that inheritance tax paid by UK families has topped £5 billion...
16 August 2017
From: Breaking News
![Planning homes for the future](/img/default/eat.png)
In their election rhetoric all the political parties informed us that the UK is experiencing a ‘housing crisis’, with all promising...
17 June 2017
From: Features
![Agents agree on downsizer shortage but disagree over attachment theory](/img/default/eat.png)
The vast majority of estate agents believe that not enough people are downsizing to free up family homes, according to conveyancing...
16 June 2017
From: Breaking News
![Baby boomers bemoan lack of suitable downsizing properties](/img/default/eat.png)
A research report compiled by Strutt & Parker in partnership with Octopus Healthcare has revealed what the baby boomer generation expects...
13 June 2017
From: Breaking News
![Revealed - why so few older owners move home, despite difficulties](/img/default/eat.png)
New research gives an insight into the difficulties that older home owners have coping with their properties - and highlights the...
31 May 2017
From: Breaking News
![Stamp duty reform can win over voters, says UK's largest independent](/img/default/eat.png)
The boss of the UK's largest independent agency has called on the government to be 'radical' and consider a range of...