For anyone trying to buy a home in Shepperton today, that headline probably sounds ridiculous.

Today’s Autumn Budget has come and gone, and for most people thinking of buying or selling a home, the message is fairly simple. Very little has changed. Chancellor John Healey focused much of his attention on the cost of living, including help with household energy bills, fuel duty and support for smaller businesses.

There is a reassuring argument that often surfaces around the kitchen table when a homeowner in Shepperton is thinking of moving home. Starting your asking price a little higher to leave some room for negotiation seems on the face of it a great idea.

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.