Stamp duty holiday ending 

It is estimated that over 132,000 homes have been bought that have missed the stamp duty since the new threshold of £175,000 was introduced, from the previous level of £125,000. Those looking to buy a property worth this value or above from January 1st 2010 will have to pay the tax.

The move was disappointing not only to those who are looking to get into the property market, but also for the rest of the market.

First-time buyers currently in the process of buying should make sure they complete their sale before December 31st to save themselves up to £1,750 before the Stamp Duty holiday comes to an end.

Earlier this month, the mortgage provider had reduced the rates on its high loan-to-value fixed-rate and tracker mortgages, which would help first-time buyers to make repayments on their loans.