Press Round Up September 2026

Thu 22 Oct 2026

Property prices have fallen for the first time since 2023, led by London and the south-east, according to the latest Lloyds house price index. Jeremy Leaf, principal of Jeremy Leaf & Co, told The Guardian that the slowdown in the market reflected a ’standoff’ between nervous buyers and sellers who believe they have already reduced prices as much as they can: “There is more movement when sellers set realistic asking prices from the outset and appreciate after a period of marketing that even a cheeky offer is worth considering. Activity is picking up now that the main holiday season is over, which is helping to improve confidence a little."

A Daily Mail reader wants to know whether they should be concerned about buying a flat in a coastal town next door to a house in multiple occupation (HMO). Michael Zucker, chartered surveyor at Jeremy Leaf & Co, said: “Many seaside towns… are cheaper for investors looking to buy large properties suitable for use as HMOs. The quality of these varies enormously and can affect the value of nearby privately-owned flats and houses. Realistically the existence of an adjacent HMO will have a negative effect on marketability and value."

If letting to students, landlords should bear in mind that such tenants are more demanding than ever. Michael Zucker explained to This is Money: “Nowadays, students expect a high standard of accommodation including good Wifi, enough workspace in each room and a communal living and kitchen area with adequate facilities and storage for all occupants. Basic student digs which were prevalent in the 20th century will no longer cut the mustard. Provision of en-suite shower rooms will enhance the rental value.”

What ‘tricks’ do agents use to help sell your home? Jeremy Leaf told The Telegraph: “As an estate agent, you have access to the number of ‘eyes’ looking at a property online via the portals. You can use this to gauge reaction to price and presentation, how this compares with similar properties available - and whether some adjustment is necessary."

Perhaps because of this, a growing number of sellers are switching agents after the first one has failed to sell their home but what do the agents think about this? Jeremy Leaf told The Times: “For agents, being second in line is no bad thing - we often say the second mouse gets the cheese.”

Once again, the Bank of England voted to hold interest rates at 3.75 per cent in September. Jeremy Leaf told IFA Magazine:  “Lenders haven’t waited for the Bank of England. Mortgage rates have been edging up ahead of this decision, which tells you the market has already stopped pricing in quick cuts, and with inflation still sitting above target, we expect rates to be held rather than fall this side of Christmas. That isn’t a crisis, but it does mean buyers waiting for a cheaper mortgage to rescue their budget could be waiting a long time."

While technology has sped up property sales, they are still taking twice as a long as in the days of the fax machine. Jeremy Leaf told The Telegraph that pressure from owners with unrealistic expectations fuelled by online property portals offering up superficial valuation guidance are adding to the delay: “The property market is made up of thousands of micro markets: similar properties but different price points. If you have a one-bedroom flat in a block of 50, you have more to compare against. But if you have a detached country cottage surrounded by fields, the property portals are just guessing.”