Antony Roberts in the Press – June 2026

Antony Roberts’ experts are often asked for their opinions on various aspects of the housing and rental markets. Below, is a selection of our comments which appeared in the press in June.

Average house prices dropped by 0.6 per cent in May, according to Nationwide Building Society. Amy Reynolds, head of sales at Antony Roberts told The Guardian: “Despite concerns about the conflict in the Middle East, demand continues to hold up for well-priced, high-quality homes and the closer the asking price is to true market value, the greater the likelihood of securing a successful sale. Buyers are not stretching to make offers they don’t believe will be accepted – they are simply choosing alternative properties.”

The Halifax house price index paints a similar picture to Nationwide’s, with prices falling by 0.1 per cent in May. Amy Reynolds told The Guardian: “The market is defined by a mismatch – cautiously motivated sellers [and] cost-conscious buyers with genuine negotiating power. This market needs stability and it needs transactions – and frankly, so does the country.”

Should I give my estate agent sole selling rights? Amy Reynolds told The Daily Mail: “Sole agency is the default in the UK but there is a difference between sole-selling rights and sole agency. Sole agency means only one agent can market your property, but if you find yourself a buyer, such as a friend, you don’t owe the agent a commission – although many agents will reduce their fee to handle the conveyancing for you. Sole-selling rights is stricter – the agent gets their fee regardless of who finds the buyer, even if you end up selling it yourself to a friend. You can choose to do multi agency from the start – it usually costs more. Or you can ask for a reduced sole agency period to be able to brin on a second agent sooner if you need to.”

There has been a recent epidemic of buyers requesting indemnity insurance, which is holding up sales. Amy Reynolds explained to The Times that she’s currently involved in a sale of a £3 million house where the buyers’ solicitor is adamant the seller must pay for a £450 insurance policy to cover a miniscule risk that the buyer may one day be requested to pay a ‘quit rent’ of £2.50 a year. “Genuine indemnity policies I have no problem with. But I do when there’s no common sense. And how many times have indemnity policies actually been used?… What’s the risk? Solicitors do it to cover themselves but I think it’s getting out of hand.”

Latest HMRC property transaction figures show sales fell 2 per cent between April and May. Amy Reynolds told PrimeResi: ““On the ground, the picture is more nuanced than the national headlines suggest. The recent weak mortgage approval figures suggest real caution at the more rate-dependent end of the market, but a good proportion of buyers we are seeing are equity-rich or cash, and well-priced family homes in the right roads are still drawing competitive interest.”

Good news for borrowers as interest rates were held again. Amy Reynolds told The Negotiator: “It was expected that base rate would be held at 3.75 per cent for another month, with the Bank of England treading carefully despite inflationary pressures. This decision will improve the general mood of buyers, which is still very cautious. People are paying close attention to the situation in the Middle East and its effect on energy prices. There are recent signs of improvement in outlook and activity, but it still feels hesitant.”

ends