Record number of first-time buyers dragged into stamp duty net
Original Article Summary
The end of the previous stamp duty holiday in April 2025 has been particularly painful in London and the South
Investor Analysis
30% of first-time buyers in England now pay stamp duty — double the proportion a decade ago — following April 2025 threshold changes, with London most severely affected at 78%. First-time buyers are actively negotiating prices down to remain under relief thresholds, distorting market pricing near the £500,000 ceiling.
Investor Relevance
Investors selling or developing properties near the £300,000–£500,000 range must now factor in first-time buyer SDLT exposure when pricing exits, as demand softens above thresholds and buyers negotiate more aggressively. The £500,000 psychological ceiling is actively shaping buyer behaviour and asking price dynamics in London and the South East, with direct implications for exit valuations and achievable sale prices.
Original Source:
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