The Cotswolds has always been an area with a limited supply of property to buy. It is rural, sparsely populated and a National Landscape (formerly named AONB), which restricts building. Throughout the second half of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, supply has been plentiful in Cotswold terms – compared with the ten-year average, the number of houses openly marketed for sale is 20% higher. This is significant and has tilted the balance in favour of buyers. 

I believe this buyers’ market is coming to an end, and we are entering a period of strong yearly growth.

Why? We have been saving as a nation – Bank of England data shows that over the last year, we have been saving between £4bn and £8bn per month in our banks and building societies. This equates to twice as much as normal. Bank of England also shows increasing money supply and mortgage approvals.  

The Chancellor has asked banks to review their mortgage affordability measures, with banks loosening the criteria. Simply when interest rates were abnormally low, banks had to ensure borrowers could afford their mortgage when rates returned to normal, which they now have. I understand the capital requirements of banks will be reduced, allowing banks to lend more mortgages and bankers’ bonuses are unlimited again, creating an appetite to lend. 

Those who don’t feel they can get onto or up the housing ladder, I highly recommend a conversation with an independent mortgage broker. Please do not believe what you read that owning a home is unaffordable. You may well be pleasantly surprised or at least come away with some valuable advice on how to get yourself into a position to buy in the coming years.

Nowadays, there are so many temptations which can significantly derail your chances – cars and the latest smartphones which are readily available and affordable on finance – any loans/finance agreements will impact your ability to get a mortgage and how much you can borrow.  

I’m a strong believer that your home is a home and not an investment. However, it is one of the few remaining capital growth tax-free investments you can make. The sooner you make it, the greater the gain – Tom Hayman-Joyce.