5
Aug
Stamp duty possibilities welcomed
News that the government may be considering changes to ease the
burden of stamp duty on home buyers have been welcomed across the
housing industry.
It has been speculated that a stamp duty holiday will be
implemented to lower the up-front costs for those buying a
home.
Executive chair of the Home Builders' Federation Stewart Baseley
said that if the speculation is true "it is a welcome initiative
and shows that minsters appreciate the problems the current housing
market situation is causing people looking to buy and sell
properties".
However, more should be done on top of this to improve liquidity in
the market.
David Bexon, managing director of new homes firm SmartNewHomes.com,
said that the stamp duty move could lead to a "surge" of new
buyers, but like Mr Baseley suggested that more needed to be done
about the underlying liquidity problems in the market.
Chancellor Alistair Darling has told the BBC a "number of measures"
are under consideration, but did not confirm any clear plans.
