Soldato
- Joined
- 14 Feb 2004
- Posts
- 14,315
- Location
- Peoples Republic of Histonia, Cambridge
Really? No stamp duty up to £300k and minimal up to £500k? Thats just going to stoke up the housing market again. Houses are too expensive as it is.
There really isn't any solution to that problem. First time buyers are particularly vulnerable to falling house prices. I can't see them rushing out to buy a property in the knowledge that they will be immediately plunged into negative equity. I equally can't see a lender lending on that basis either, without substantially higher deposits.
For first time buyers, the only good drop in prices is a temporary one. Allowing them a foot on the ladder, before prices rise again.
At least the stamp duty change gives them an edge over people who already own a property.
Higher prices are also easier to absorb because it can be added to the mortgage. Stamp Duty needs to be paid in cash on completion.
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