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On 7th November 2023, the King’s Speech marked the opening of a new session of Parliament. In his first address of this nature, King Charles III announced the Government’s key priorities for the year ahead and with a General Election expected within the next 12 months, the contents were hotly anticipated.

We often talk about seasonality in property and this autumn has been true to form. September saw serious movers enter the market after summer and their intent is already reflected in October’s figures. Firstly, we look at asking prices.

We have been charting the progress of the Renters’ Reform Bill since it was announced in 2019 during Theresa May’s tenure as Prime Minister. In late October 2023, a little more progress was made and the Bill had its second reading in the House of Commons.

How do Artex ceilings, avocado bathroom suites and rotten window frames make you feel when looking at properties for sale? While some purchasers will recoil at the prospect, others relish the opportunity to rip out, refurbish and make their own mark.

The features we assume tenants are looking for and what actually ticks their boxes can be two very different things. To establish the most in-demand aspects, Rightmove examined more than 600,000  property listings, looking at what was mentioned in the property description in relation to the homes with the highest number of enquiries.

How do you tell if a General Election is on the cards? You monitor the news for announcements that may please the masses. Property has long been an area the Government tinkers with and ministers are already repositioning their offering to win votes in England and Wales.

After a long period of stability, mortgage rates have hardly been out of the news headlines. In September, everyone held their breath as the Bank of England - responsible for UK-wide monetary policy - made its latest announcement.

We’re barely into autumn and already the interior design experts are predicting which trends will be big news in 2024. Livingetc – the glossy magazine and style bible – has already published its colour predictions for next year and there are some interesting shades in the spotlight.

As estate agents with many years of experience under our belts, we have continued to help buyers and sellers whatever the market conditions. People will always need to move home but why people move very much depends on the market and wider financial implications.

There’s no doubt that the property market is cooling after the unsustainable pandemic levels. While the interest rate and inflation have served to moderate buyers’ plans, property values are naturally returning to more sensible levels. Equilibrium is being provided by falling mortgage rates.

Move or improve? It’s a conundrum many homeowners face when the property market changes. For those thinking of staying put with an idea to extend, convert or perhaps replace their kitchen, it’s worth pricing up any improvements before you commit.

In August 2023, the National Trading Standards Estate & Letting Agency (NTSELA) team updated its guidance to consumers and property professionals regarding how a property’s status is described during the marketing process.