2019 – a movers’ year in statistics

First-time buyers were the driving force in the housing market during 2019, encouraged by cheap loans, soft house prices and schemes such as Help to Buy.

This is just one of the statistics thrown up in a study by home moving comparison site reallymoving.

The statistical study includes data on when people moved, how far they went and of course, what it all cost.

One of the most striking features was how many movers chose to stay local.

Rob Houghton, CEO of reallymoving, said: “Most home moves remained local with a remarkable 40 per cent taking place within five miles of existing homes, suggesting that people were more motivated by extra space and desirable properties than by major moves for new jobs or lifestyle changes.”

The study also found:

W The busiest day of the year for moving home was Friday, August 30, followed by Friday, June 28 and Friday, September 28.

W Those buying and selling a home typically paid £1,154 for conveyancing. First-time buyers paid £677 on average.

W The median distance moved in 2019 was nine miles, while most (40 per cent) moved within a five-mile radius of their previous home.

W First-time buyers accounted for

55.7 per cent of all home purchases throughout the year. Over a fifth used a government scheme to help them buy their first home, such as Shared Ownership (14.6 per cent) and Help to Buy (7.3 per cent).

W The average deposit paid by first-time buyers in 2019 was £28,800.

W Repeat movers (those buying and selling at the same time) sold their homes for an average price of £237,000 and bought for an average price of £292,500.

W Repeat movers typically paid £4,625 Stamp Duty on completion.