The UK housing market experienced a significant uptick in activity in March 2025, driven by buyers rushing to complete purchases before the end of temporary stamp duty cuts. Mortgage completions rose by 50% during the month, with first-time buyer completions increasing by 70%, according to Barclays. This surge was in response to the government’s announcement that the reduced stamp duty thresholds would revert to previous levels on 1 April 2025, leading to an average additional cost of £13,530 for new homeowners.
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Concurrently, mortgage rates have fallen below 4% for the first time in recent years, as lenders adjust to market volatility and anticipate future Bank of England rate cuts. Major lenders such as Halifax and NatWest have introduced two-year fixed mortgage rates at 3.94%, with Nationwide offering rates as low as 3.89% for up to 60% loan-to-value. These reductions are influenced by declining swap rates and expectations of a global economic slowdown. Additionally, some lenders are easing borrowing by lowering stress-test rates, enabling more individuals—especially first-time buyers—to access higher loan amounts.
Despite the March surge, market confidence remains cautious. The average UK house price fell by 0.5% in March to £296,699, the steepest decline since March 2024, as reported by Halifax. This suggests that the post-stamp duty deadline market may experience a cooling-off period. However, the combination of lower mortgage rates and increased housing supply could provide opportunities for buyers in the coming months.