Legal & General Surveying Services comments on HMRC’s Property Transaction data
Richard Sexton, managing director at LGSS, said: “A rising tide does not lift all boats equally. In the housing market, stronger transaction numbers are welcome, but the real test is whether confidence is being matched by sound decision-making.
“The latest HMRC property transaction figures suggest activity is beginning to strengthen, providing a sign that some buyers and sellers are becoming more willing to move forward after a period of uncertainty.
“However, a busier market does not remove the need for careful risk assessment. In fact, as transaction levels recover, lenders must continue ensuring that increased activity is supported by accurate and proportionate valuations.
“The housing market is not made up of identical properties or identical risks. While some straightforward cases can benefit from increasingly sophisticated data and automated approaches, more complex properties and specialist lending scenarios still require experienced professional judgement.
“It is also important to recognise that national transaction figures rarely tell a uniform story. Activity levels can vary significantly by region, property type and local market dynamics, with some areas experiencing stronger momentum than others. Understanding these regional nuances remains essential for lenders when assessing risk, setting strategy and ensuring valuations accurately reflect local market conditions, which reinforces the need for local intelligence for lenders in particular- there is no better source of this than qualified valuers.
“For valuation firms, the challenge is not simply keeping pace with transaction volumes. It is ensuring quality remains consistent as the market becomes more active.
“Sustainable growth depends on confidence at every stage of the process, from the initial lending decision through to the valuation that supports it.”