FAQ BUYING AND SELLING

UK Mortgage Market Update – July 2025 What Buyers and Homeowners Need to Know As we head into the second half of 2025, there’s growing optimism across the UK mortgage market. Falling interest rates, anticipated policy changes, and signs of greater affordability are beginning to shift the landscape for buyers, investors, and homeowners alike. At Sam Akbay Property Agency, we’ve been closely...

What It Means for Buyers, Sellers & Strategy As we step into the second half of the year, the latest June 2025 House Price Index reveals a subtle but significant shift across the London property landscape. While many boroughs continue to experience modest growth, premium postcodes like Kensington & Chelsea, Camden, and Merton are showing slight declines—an important signal for both buyers and...

A Seasonal Deep Dive: Late Spring into Early Summer 2025 As the wisteria climbs across Chelsea façades and garden squares burst into full bloom, it’s time for our seasonal look at what’s really happening in the Chelsea & Westminster property market. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or simply stay informed—here’s what you need to know right now.  Property Prices: Modest Growth,...

Is It Still Possible in 2025? Let’s address the question we hear time and time again: “Can a first-time buyer still afford to get onto the ladder in Chelsea?” The short answer? Yes—but not in the way you might expect.In 2025, first-time buyers in SW3 are getting creative. From shared ownership to help-to-buy resales and even strategic family-assisted financing, doors are still opening—just a...

Top 5 Trends Shaping the London Property Market This Spring The London property market remains resilient in 2025, with a steady rise in buyer confidence, particularly across prime areas like Chelsea, Knightsbridge, and Mayfair.As we move into the spring-summer season, certain clear trends are shaping demand — and smart buyers and sellers are already adapting to take advantage. Here’s what you need to...

Off-Market Property Sales Are Thriving in Chelsea At the prime end of the London property market — particularly in Chelsea — off-market transactions are playing a bigger role than ever in 2025. In an era where discretion, speed, and personal connection are valued as much as price, privacy-conscious buyers and sellers are increasingly seeking alternatives to public marketing.And when handled...

Why Off-Market Matters in Chelsea Quiet listings. Serious buyers. Powerful results. In Chelsea’s high-end property scene, the smartest moves often happen behind the scenes. Here, where privacy is prized and time is precious, off-market isn’t just an industry term—it’s a sophisticated strategy. So, what exactly is an off-market property—and why should you care, whether you're buying or...

Pricing Property Right In real estate, pricing isn’t just a number – it’s a strategy. Whether you’re selling a Chelsea townhouse or an investment flat in Waltham Cross, understanding the nuances of pricing in different market climates is key to achieving the best result. As the UK property market continues to shift in pockets, with some areas seeing growth while others stabilise or cool, it’s...

Are They Accurate? "Rightmove says your home is worth £1.5 million. Is it really?" We hear this all the time—from Chelsea homeowners, curious sellers, and even first-time buyers trying to get a sense of the market. Online property valuation tools like Rightmove, Zoopla, or even your mortgage app offer a quick estimate of your home’s worth. But here's the question:Can you trust those...

 What It Means for Buyers and Homeowners Good news for anyone thinking about buying a home or refinancing their mortgage—UK lenders are starting to cut mortgage rates, and this could mean big savings. This week, Coventry Building Society became one of the first big names to lower their two-year fixed mortgage rate to below 4%, offering a deal at 3.89%. Other lenders like Clydesdale Bank, Newcastle...