A home that suited you perfectly a few years ago may not necessarily meet your needs today. Families grow, working arrangements change and priorities evolve. What once felt like the ideal property can gradually become less practical as your lifestyle develops. For some homeowners, the solution may be to make adjustments to their existing property. For others, moving could offer the space, location or flexibility they are looking for. As the year draws to a close, it can be a useful time to reflect on whether your current home still works for you and consider what you might want from your next chapter.

The UK property market is entering a more challenging period for sellers, with rising mortgage costs, increased competition and more cautious buyers putting pressure on asking prices. Recent figures from Rightmove highlight just how much market conditions are changing, with thousands of homeowners reducing their asking prices every day.

A new government scheme could help first-time buyers purchase with a deposit of just 2.5%. With more details expected at the October Budget, here’s what prospective buyers need to know.

Autumn activity is returning to the property market, but affordability continues to shape decisions. We look at the latest prices, buyer demand, mortgage figures and what they mean for movers.