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First class service. We spoke to James, explained that we were really hoping for a quick sale of our property. He gave a detailed valuation, with a great knowledge of the local market which meant that we received an offer within 24 hours! We have instructed a few estate agents recently, and can confidently say that the professionalism, knowledge and guidance given by James at Lifestyle is by far the best!! A great experience. Thank you James!!

A very professional team who sold our property quickly. From valuation through to completion the team were always willing to answer questions and keep us updated with progress. We would highly recommend Lifestyle. Thank you.

Lifestyle Property Services handled the sale of a house on behalf of the executors of the estate of a family member. They were very professional in all aspects of the sales process from the initial valuation through to completion. They were also able to offer property repair facilities using contractors from their maintenance wing. All the staff members I encountered were very friendly, efficient and customer focused. I would be happy to recommend Lifestyle.

Being based in Sydney I decided to sell our property in Bradley Stoke, the whole process was made easy by the team who helped by co-ordinating all the different parties involved with my tenants, the letting agents and of course the buyer. So helpful, so eager to just make things happen, and so I would highly recommend to use this agent.

I could not recommend Lifestyle highly enough! They have been professional, efficient, friendly and knowledgeable throughout every transaction they have managed for us. We will definitely use their services again when the need arises.

Service was excellent and efficient - even with the current climate. All agents I met and spoke to were friendly and replied in a timely and helpful manner. I had the initial viewing with Lee Morgan, who gave a detailed explanation of the property and the important information. I did deal with a couple of other staff members (that I can't remember the names of) that were helpful and always contacted me if needed.

Lifestyle managed my property let for 6 years and then went on to sell the same house. A thoroughly professional and experienced organisation they were able to provide sound advice in order to expedite the sale of our house, keeping us up to date every step of the way. Both the letting and sales teams were always happy to answer any queries that I had in a friendly, professional manner. Acting in our best interests, any issues that arose during the let of the house, even after tenants had left, were dealt with efficiently and effectively. Whether you're letting or selling a property I would recommend using Lifestyle.

James and Cilla dealt with our sale brilliantly. Always available on the phone and chasing up our sale. Helped out dealing with the solicitors and making sure everything went through on time.

Housing market prepares for summer slow-down.

Key findings:

• The number of homeowners selling up increased in May, as sellers tried to secure offers before the annual summer slow-down.
• Demand from house hunters also rose, as buyers sought to get their offers accepted.
• The number of sales agreed per branch stayed the same.

Supply of properties:

• The number of properties available to buy increased by 12 per cent in May, as sellers anticipated a summer slow-down and raced to get offers secured.
• There were 37 homes available per branch in May, compared to 33 in April .
• During the summer months, the market is typically quieter, as buyers and sellers head abroad in search of sun. In line with this, supply has increased every May since 2015 .
• Year on year, the number of sellers marketing their properties is down from 40 in May 2017, and looking at a ten-year comparison, it’s down 62 per cent from 97 in May 2008.

Number of properties available to buy per branch over a ten-year period.

Demand for housing:

• Demand from prospective buyers increased from 337 in April, to 351 in May, as house hunters set out to have offers accepted before their summer holidays
• Year on year, there hasn’t been much movement as May 2017 saw 350 house hunters registered per branch, but looking at a two-year comparison, demand has increased hugely. In May 2016 there were 304 buyers registered per branch, marking a 15 per cent increase over the last two years.

Sales to first-time buyers and sales per branch:

• For the fourth month running, the number of sales agreed stood at eight per branch, and for the second month in a row, 24 per cent of these were made to FTBs
• Year on year, the number of sales agreed is down from 10 in May 2017, while the percentage of those which were made to FTBs is also down from 26 per cent last year.

Mark Hayward, Chief Executive of the National Association of Estate Agents said: “We see this every year. House hunters desperate to get their offer accepted, and sellers on a mission to find suitable buyers, flock the market in May. They’re hoping to get everything tied up so they can enjoy their summer holidays without worrying about viewings. But those willing to be more flexible might do well to hold off until the market’s quieter in July and August. Not everyone heads abroad over the summer, with lots of people opting for winter sun instead, so while the market is undoubtedly quieter, competition is a little less intense, which might better suit some buyers and sellers.”

The above information has been gathered by Life-Style Property Services from the Housing Market Report produced by the NAEA Propertymark.

Calls for relief on stamp duty charges that would boost movement in the property market were ignored in Chancellor Philip Hammond's Spring Budget this week.

Despite the Government's own admission in last month's Housing White Paper that the property market was "broken", tax thresholds will remain at the levels introduced in 2014.

Currently, home buyers are liable for the tax when purchasing a residential property or a plot of land costing more than £125,000, or £40,000 for a second home.

Nick Leeming, chairman of estate agent Jackson-Stops & Staff, says: “Homeowners are left feeling disheartened and frustrated once again today, as Philip Hammond neglects to address the stamp duty elephant in the room.

"Despite evidence showing the housing market has slowed since the stamp duty reform of December 2014, and the more recent three per cent second home surcharge, the Government is sticking to its guns and refusing to give the nation a break."

Currently, stamp duty is charged in bands, with zero per cent on the first £125,000 of the purchase price, two per cent between £125,001 and £250,000, five per cent from £250,001 to £925,000, 10 per cent from £925,000 to £1.5 million, and 12 per cent above that.

These thresholds are set to remain in place at least until November, when the Chancellor will unveil a combined Budget and Autumn Statement

UK house price growth will be cut by almost half by 2018, according to predictions from the Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR).

The OBR has released its predictions for house price growth along with chancellor Philip Hammond's first (and last) Budget today, and it seems house price rises will be tempered over the next five years, dropping from an annual inflation of 7.6 per cent in 2016 to just four per cent in 2018.

Then, in 2019, growth will edge upwards to 4.4 per cent, reaching 4.6 per cent in 2021.

The house price trend is set to follow on from a squeeze in disposable incomes; the OBR has forecast zero growth in disposable incomes this year.

Commentators have argued that Hammond should have done more to get young people on the housing ladder; many were hoping for cuts to stamp duty land tax.

The above information has been gathered by Life-Style Property Services from several sources.