Every year, our Lettings Department goes through a rigorous “health check” to make sure we meet the high standards required to stay part of Propertymark’s Client Money Protection Scheme.
This includes a full accountant’s report and stress testing to ensure we’re running things compliantly and responsibly — and we’re proud to say we passed with flying colours!
It’s all part of our ongoing commitment to protecting our clients and doing things the right way.
Want to know more about the scheme? Please click on the link below:
Client Money Protection (CMP)
This week, our team at Cross Keys Estates had the absolute pleasure of spending the day at Ark at Egwood as part of our volunteering efforts — and what an inspiring day it was!
Set across 12 beautiful acres of land and woodland, ARK at Egwood is more than just a space — it’s a community. This incredible intergenerational, land-based day service welcomes people of all ages, abilities, and needs to connect with nature, themselves, and one another.
From growing fresh produce and flowers to rural crafts, hedge laying, cooking, and caring for animals, ARK offers meaningful, person-centred activities that boost confidence, wellbeing, and community engagement. Their mission and values, centred around inclusivity, equality, and the power of choice, resonate deeply with us.
It was a joy to see first hand how they create a nurturing, supportive space where everyone can be themselves. We were humbled and inspired by the hard work, passion, and care that go into everything ARK does.
A huge thank you to the ARK team for welcoming us so warmly and for the fantastic work you do every single day. Please consider following them on social media!
Slideshow Gallery
Please click on the link below to view a slideshow gallery of the day’s activities
View Fullscreen Slideshow
Selling your home is smooth and stress-free when you choose Cross Keys Estates
Cross Keys Estates have exchanged on more properties in Plymouth so far this year than any other estate agent, according to the Zoopla property portal (data accurate as of 08/05/2025).
Leading the market in 2025!
What our clients say…
“From first meeting Jack to discuss listing my property, to liaising with Fiona, Jo, Lily and Asha who kept me informed of viewings and feedback, everyone was friendly and professional offering great advice and discussing any concerns I had. Would highly recommend.”
“Sold my flat through Cross Keys. From day one they were so professional and helpful. Really helped me through the whole process, keeping me updated regularly. I would definitely recommend Cross Keys Estates if you are thinking of selling.”
Call us on 01752 500018 to instruct us with a sizzling seasonal offer on our fees.
Here’s what’s going down in 2025 and what you need to do about it (this article first featured on Dwell Devon).
If you’ve been keeping half an eye on the property market lately (or even just wondering why every other rental on your street suddenly has a “For Sale” sign up), you’re not alone. And if you’re thinking of making a move to, or within Devon this year, you might be thinking: “I wish I knew someone who’s in-the-know”… It can be mind-scrambling, can’t it?
As someone in the thick of it day in and day out, Jack Merriott McMillian Duncan shares what Cross Keys Estates is seeing out there – trends, tips, and a few red flags to watch out for – all in plain English.
So grab a cuppa, and let’s dive in!
Q. What’s new in the UK housing market this year?
Honestly? Landlords are leaving. Fast. We’re talking hundreds exiting the market and we can’t blame them. Between the rental reform bill, the scrapping of Section 21, extra stamp duty charges, sky-high buy-to-let mortgage rates, and changes to tenancy laws, many landlords are just calling it quits, moving their cash into high-interest ISAs instead.
Meanwhile, housebuilders are trying to squeeze more homes into less space – think tall and narrow properties stacked over three or four floors. And let’s be real: cramming people into tiny flats isn’t solving the housing crisis. Most people still want a house with a garden, a space for the dog, or a safe area for the kids. Flats in big blocks are struggling, especially with the cladding/fire safety issues. Some are literally unsellable right now. Plus, lenders hate anything over 11 floors, and local solicitors aren’t thrilled about doing paperwork on blocks taller than six. So yeah, flats = band-aid, not a fix.
Q. How are interest rates and the economy messing with the market?
If a house is priced over £400k right now, it’s probably just sitting there. Buyers in that bracket usually sell to buy again, but with borrowing costs up, people aren’t making that leap. So, everything over £400k is bottlenecked, like property gridlock. No movement at the top = no movement below.
Q. Any advice for someone selling in 2025?
Watch out for sneaky agents. Yep, I said it. There are some shady tactics going around. Some agents are telling sellers their homes are worth way more than they really are – by 10–20% in some cases – just to win the listing. It’s called “buying the instruction.” Then, once you’ve signed a 6-month contract, their sales team nudges you to drop the price (and they get commission for that!).
Recently I saw a flat listed for £130k that’s worth, at best, £100k. It wasn’t even in great shape. So our advice is please work with qualified agents who are members of the National Association of Estate Agents.
Q. We need some good news, so how do you actually sell a house in this market?
One word: PRICE. We’re in a buyers’ market, and if you’re priced too high, forget it – no one’s even coming to view. No viewers = no offers = no sale. It’s that simple. At Cross Keys Estates, we love using guide pricing.
For example, if your home’s realistically worth £210k, we’ll list it at “Guide Price £200,000–£225,000” (with £210k as the reserve). That way, more buyers bite, viewings go up, and sometimes we even get a little bidding war going. More interest = better offers and, ideally, a smoother sale with chain-free buyers.
Q. Are there any cool marketing tools sellers should be using?
Oh yes! We’re big fans of TikTok for property tours and love using drones for those swoon-worthy aerial shots. Honestly, it’s crazy to us that some agents still don’t offer online floor plans – like, how are buyers supposed to plan a future without knowing what goes where?
Digital is where it’s at. Eye-catching video tours, smart social media, great photography – it all helps your home stand out in a crowded market.
Q. What’s the deal with Stamp Duty in 2025?
Ah, the good old property tax. It’s still here, still confusing. For most homes in Plymouth, it’s not a deal breaker, but just so you know:
£0–£125,000: no tax
£125,001–£250,000: 2%
£250,001–£925,000: 5%
£925,001–£1.5 million: 10%
£1.5 million+: 12%
So if you’re buying a house for, say, £295,000, your stamp duty will be about £4,750. Not nothing, but not the end of the world either.
Q. What’s happening with rental laws?
The EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rules are tightening up. Right now, rental properties need an EPC rating of E or above. But by 2030 (maybe sooner!), landlords will need a C rating to legally let a property – unless it’s listed.
So, if you’ve got a draughty old rental, it might be time for an upgrade… or an exit strategy.
Q. Will sustainability be a legal thing in 2025?
Yes, we’re heading that way. Think solar panels, ground-source heat pumps, triple glazing, EV charging points—and even bee bricks (yep, they exist). Right now, they’re “nice to have,” but give it a few years, and they’ll likely be mandatory, especially in new builds and through planning permissions.
Q. Should I make my home more eco-friendly before I sell?
Honestly? Most buyers today are still focused on two things: “Can I get a mortgage?” and “Can I afford to live here?” They’re not walking away from their dream home over a lack of LED bulbs or solar panels.
If energy costs keep rising, that might change. But for now, I’d say price out any upgrades – heat pumps, triple glazing, solar panels – and compare the cost to the value uplift. If the math doesn’t work, leave it for the next owner. Plus, if you’re in a flat, making those changes can be a bureaucratic nightmare (hello, freeholders…).
And there you have it – your 2025 property lowdown from the front lines. Got questions or need some help on your own buying/selling journey? Please feel free to contact us on 01752 500099 or email us HERE
Q: When is a sold house not a sold house ?
A: When your agent thinks an accepted offer is the end of the sales process not the beginning!
We all know the sales process is fairly straight forward, the right property, valued at the right price ( just to mention our valuation record is 100% accurate) with good photography and marketing will pretty much sell itself to a certain extent …
The benefits of using a reputable, credible, qualified, experienced and tenacious agent all becomes very obvious once the offer is agreed and the hard work of seeing the sale through to completion actually starts.
Here at Cross Keys, we are well aware of that and all take a proactive role in the sales progression, making the journey as smooth as possible for all involved.
Spending time in the offices of the local solicitors, we recommend and work with, has definitely benefitted every member of our team and given them not only a thorough understanding of the conveyancing process but also the confidence and ability to deliver the result everyone is working towards.
Sales progression is rarely smooth sailing but occasionally hits very troubled waters which is where the need to be tenacious and not give up really comes into play.
This happens more than we would like but after the blood, sweat and tears have faded and our vendors and buyers have all moved on, it sometimes becomes apparent that this was actually a rewarding journey and never more so than when it’s acknowledged and appreciated by the people involved.
One such instance is highlighted in the review below left for one of my amazing colleagues recently:
I would like to express how incredibly grateful we are to Cross Keys for all your help and support throughout the whole sale process of our parents’ house. I initially met Jack at the house to discuss the listing, and it was lovely to chat to him about the area, which he knew. Jack also took time to listen to me, and was really sensitive to the emotional aspect of the sale – this was very much appreciated.
Everyone we have spoken with has been friendly and helpful, but it is Fiona Hardie, our agent, that we want to thank the most. Throughout this whole (extremely stressful) journey, when at times we encountered huge obstacles, Fiona has been absolutely fantastic. Our solicitors were less than helpful, and Fiona has spent so much time chasing and relaying information to us, so that we were kept informed, and trying so hard to find solutions to our house issues.
Thank you Fiona, for listening to us, for your kindness in all our phone conversations when I cried, for your assurances, when we felt like giving up, that there would be a positive outcome, (you were right!) and for making us feel that you really cared – we really couldn’t have done this without you! You deserve far more than five stars and you definitely deserve the champagne I’ll be bringing to you very soon!
Nin and Shan Chana.
I would like to say that all agents would have the same devotion to the end result rather than just the sale agreed stats however, that’s not the reality.
I can only say how delighted I am to be part of a business and a team who see going the extra mile as the default setting.
A Huge Congratulations to Asha George on her Amazing Achievement!
We are so proud to celebrate Asha George, a Property Consultant (Sales) at Cross Keys, for achieving a distinction in her recent apprenticeship EPA assessment, officially making her a qualified Junior Estate Agent!
Asha has excelled in every step of her journey, and this accomplishment speaks volumes about her hard work, determination, and dedication. From the beginning, her exceptional abilities were recognised at Cross Keys, where she took on additional responsibilities and handled them effortlessly. This approach has been key to her success, as she has consistently delivered outstanding work across all her coursework.
What truly sets Asha apart is her work ethic. She is incredibly organised, consistently completing tasks to the highest standards and always on time. Even under pressure, Asha remains calm and focused, applying effective problem-solving strategies. This was most evident during her EPA assessment, where she went above and beyond to meet all criteria, earning a distinction for both assessments. Her commitment and dedication are truly inspiring.
Asha’s strong focus on customer service also stands out. She consistently ensures that all estate agency practices are conducted with integrity, transparency, and professionalism. Her ethical approach reflects the industry’s highest standards and strengthens Cross Key Estates’ reputation.
We couldn’t be prouder of Asha for achieving such a high standard, and her positive attitude, commitment, and excellence make her more than deserving of this remarkable achievement!
A special thank you to Georgie Monk, Assessor Coach at Weston College, for her valuable support and guidance throughout Asha’s apprenticeship. Georgie shared:
“Asha has been a standout learner throughout her journey, demonstrating a brilliant work ethic, exceptional organisation, and an admirable approach to learning. Her dedication to delivering excellent customer service and applying ethical practices is a real asset to the industry. It’s been a pleasure supporting her to become a Junior Estate Agent.”
Well done, Asha! We can’t wait to see all the incredible things you’ll achieve in the future!
