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  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Mobile Slide One

    Opening doors to your future Residential Sales and Lettings in the Plymouth area

  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Mobile Slide Two

    Opening doors to your future Locally owned and run Independent Estate Agents

  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Mobile Slide Three

    Opening doors to your future Sales and Lettings offices centrally located

  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Mobile Slide Four

    Opening doors to your future Highly motivated friendly staff

  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Mobile Slide Five

    Opening doors to your future Established in Plymouth since 2003

  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Mobile Slide Six

    Opening doors to your future Highest levels of customer service

  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Mobile Slide Seven

    Opening doors to your future Extensive knowledge of Plymouth and surrounding areas

  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Mobile Slide Eight

    Opening doors to your future Dedicated to making the process as smooth as possible

  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Slide One
    Opening doors to your future
    Residential Sales and Lettings in the Plymouth area
  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Slide Two
    Opening doors to your future
    Locally owned and run Independent Estate Agents
  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Slide Three
    Opening doors to your future
    Sales and Lettings offices centrally located
  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Slide Four
    Opening doors to your future
    Highly motivated friendly staff
  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Slide Five
    Opening doors to your future
    Established in Plymouth since 2003
  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Slide Six
    Opening doors to your future
    Highest levels of customer service
  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Slide Seven
    Opening doors to your future
    Extensive knowledge of Plymouth and surrounding areas
  • Cross Keys Estates - Residential Sales and Lettings - Slide Eight
    Opening doors to your future
    Dedicated to making the process as smooth as possible

Hello again folks, hope you are all doing well and enjoying this wonderful weather we are having. I thought it was the right time to give you all an update as to what is happening with the housing market at the moment.

I started this year with quite a lot of optimism for the year ahead but this was short-lived, as no sooner had we got back into the swing of things in January, the market became saturated with houses of multi-occupancy (HMOs) or large buildings that were split into multiple rental flats and lots of other rental properties that were older, Victorian / Georgian buildings. After talking to a lot of these owners, to find out why so many of them were selling, their reasonings became very clear, they wanted to get out of the rental game before the introduction of all the new legislation comes into effect.

The abolition of Section 21 (No fault evictions), will effectively handcuff the landlord to the tenant, even if they are not good tenants. The owner will only be able to evict the tenant if the tenant falls behind (2 months minimum) with their rent, if the owner decides to move back into the property, or if the owner decides to sell their property. If it is the last two, then that property will not be able to be let out again for a period of six months.

The renters reform bill – this bill will soon be coming into law and again prioritises tenants over the actual owners of the property. It is effectively a stick to beat landlords with. The landlord will have to go through so much red tape just to regain ownership of the property.

If you think that this is sounding a bit biased, it is my own personal experience of tenants and that of managing 300 other rental properties that has given me the in-depth knowledge that there are many more problematic tenants out there than ever there are problematic landlords.

EPC regulations – The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) was brought into effect as part of the Home Information Pack legislation for selling property back in 2007, originally part of the Kyoto agreement on Climate change. Our government of the time included these EPCs as a mandatory part of the selling process and here it has remained.

Currently, the law states that any property must have a minimum EPC rating of E for existing tenancies. However, since 1st April this year, any property being rented out with a tenancy starting after this date, must have a minimum EPC rating of C and by 2028 ALL existing properties (even existing rental agreed properties) will have to be the grade C rating.

This means that, I am talking specifically about Plymouth, all the rented housing stock, no matter the age or construction type, will have to have so much work done on them (internal and external insulation, new windows, new lighting or even ground source heat pumps).

Now, while all these improvements might sound fantastic, there are currently no grants or other forms of financial assistance for private landlords and the extreme costs of doing one, a few, or all of these improvements are not financially viable, and the argument that if you do these improvements you will be adding value to your property does not always hold true.

If you are one of our landlords and you are reading this and beginning to worry, worry not. As I stated earlier in this blog, I know that pretty much every one of our landlords have properties that pass muster and will not be adversely affected by these regulation changes. Even better, if we are managing your property, we will ensure that we deal with all of these issues for you, IF they arise. The bonus to this situation is that rental prices are still climbing and are at an all time high in Plymouth, meaning much better yields than have been enjoyed previously – a ‘win win’ situation.

The knock-on effect of this rental property dump on the market is that there are a lot of properties to chose from as a buyer and it is now a buyers’ market. If you put your property on the market at an unrealistic price, if your agent tells you “We can get you more than any other agent has valued it at” if your property has already been on the market for more than 8 weeks, if you have not had more than two viewings a week, then your property is overpriced – FOR THIS CURRENT MARKET. Prices have come down from the peaks that we saw in the last few years and you really do need to be realistic about what is achievable today.

With some positivity, I can confirm that Cross Keys Estates have exchanged on the sale of more properties in Plymouth than any other agent this year so far (data accurate as of 08/05/2025 – Zoopla), so if you are seriously looking to sell your property, why not give the team here at Cross Keys Estates a call.

We have been here for over two decades and have definitely become a market leader with our honest and qualified approach, which is why sellers, buyers and the rental sector all trust us and have given us a 98% recommendation rating.

I do hope that you take the time to read this and please feel free to share it around on your socials and to as many of your friends as possible.

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:

5 Stars

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.

Cross Keys Estate Agents Sales Office Graphic Cross Keys Estate Agents Lettings Office Graphic

Properties of the Week

Cross Keys Estate Agents Sales Property of the Week 1

Sales Property 1

Craigmore Avenue, Stoke

£180,000 to £190,000 Guide Price

2 2 1

Click to view details

Cross Keys Estate Agents Sales Property of the Week 2

Sales Property 2

Churchway, Weston Mill

£250,000 to £270,000 Guide Price

2 3 1

Click to view details

Cross Keys Estate Agents Lettings Property of the Week

Lettings Property

Chapter One, Albert Road

£995 pcm

1 2 1

Click to view details

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