After a subdued end to 2025, the first quarter of 2026 has quietly rebuilt confidence in the housing market. March may be the strategic launch point sellers have been waiting for.

Searching for the right home can be overwhelming. Use this practical checklist to stay organised, confident and ready to act when the right property appears.

Over the last few weeks, there has been a growing narrative in the national press suggesting that the housing ladder is becoming increasingly difficult to climb. Much of this centres around the widening gap between smaller and larger homes, with many commentators suggesting that homeowners are becoming “stuck” and unable to move up.

The Government has announced a major overhaul of the leasehold system, including a cap on ground rents of £250 a year for homeowners in England, as part of a package of reforms aimed at reducing housing costs and strengthening homeownership.