By David Lench, of Ward and Partners

After a stream of positive news over the past four months, the property market generally is the strongest it has been for two years.

Our company figures bear this out.

Group-wide, prices on exchange – in other words the actual sale prices achieved – are 8 per cent up since the start of the year. Meanwhile, the volume of sales over the last three months is up by an average of more than 80 per cent compared to the same period in 2008. And we have more serious buyers on our books now than at any time in the past two years.

Prices up, sales on the increase, more buyers – it all adds up to a great time to sell but this could change all too soon. There are still some question marks over the state of the wider economy, and these concerns could impact on the housing market in the New Year.

So, anyone thinking of moving home any time soon would be well advised to strike now, while the iron’s hot.

Last year, the government temporarily raised the lowest stamp duty threshold to £175,000. This comes to an end on December 31 – so while anyone completing on an average-priced first-time buyer property by that date will pay no stamp duty whatsoever, anyone doing so from January 1 will suddenly have to fork out an extra £1,750!

This is why Ward & Partners is seeing a marked increase in the number of inquiries for such properties. First-time buyers are absolutely desperate to purchase as quickly as possible in order to avoid a significant increase in their moving costs.

So, if you’re looking to sell a first-time buyer home – or indeed, any type of property – then there isn’t a moment to lose.

With the market recovery still relatively fragile, there may not be another opportunity like this for some time. So don’t miss the boat!

• Ward’s Managing Director David Lench is managing director of Wards and & Partners. For more details go to www. wardandpartners.co.uk