For many people across England, getting onto the property ladder can feel like a difficult balancing act. Now, the Government has announced a new initiative that could change the conversation for some first-time buyers.

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.

The UK property market could be heading towards a significant change in the way flats are owned and managed. The government’s proposed reforms to replace leasehold with commonhold as the default form of ownership for most new flats could reshape the buying, selling and management of residential property across England and Wales.

If moving is starting to feel more realistic, September is a useful time to prepare. Understanding your budget, priorities and local property search now could make things much easier when the right home appears.