With talk of stamp duty reform dominating headlines and the autumn budget just around the corner, many buyers are holding off to see what happens next. Yet despite that pause, the figures show a resilient, well-balanced market across the district.

Here’s how things looked inside Nicholson’s last month:

That final figure — buyer registrations — is down 29% on August and 40% lower than September 2024, a clear sign that people are proceeding with a touch of caution. It’s little wonder, given the strong rumours of sweeping stamp duty changes.

The biggest talking point right now is the suggestion that stamp duty could be abolished and replaced with an annual property tax on homes valued over £500,000.

If true, this could be one of the most dramatic changes to the housing market in decades. Early details suggest:

To illustrate:

A £600,000 home currently attracts about £20,000 in stamp duty upfront. Under the proposed system, that could drop to roughly £500 a year — meaning it would take 40 years to pay the same amount.

Such a change would remove a major barrier for buyers and could reignite the higher-end market, which has been quieter in recent months.

However, it could also present new challenges. Homeowners who have lived in their properties for decades — particularly pensioners on fixed incomes — may suddenly find themselves liable for an annual charge they hadn’t budgeted for. This could trigger a wave of downsizing as some owners look to avoid the new tax burden.

Across Bassetlaw:

That balance indicates steady demand despite reduced supply.

The average asking price for new listings was £285,000, down £10,000 year-on-year, but the average exchange price rose sharply to £283,000, up from £243,000 — a 16% increase.

This mirrors August’s data and suggests that buyer confidence is slowly returning, especially in the mid-to-upper price brackets.

While just 56% of homes listed in Bassetlaw go on to complete, Nicholson’s continue to outperform the market:

That difference is no coincidence. Our marketing strategy, combined with the SecureMove system, helps reduce fall-throughs and gives our clients the best chance of success.

Across the district, sellers have had to reduce asking prices by an average of £8,800 to secure a sale.

At Nicholson’s, the average reduction is just £700 — proof that accurate pricing, stand-out marketing, and skilled negotiation make a real difference.

September was a month of balance and anticipation: fewer new buyers, rising sale values, and the possibility of major tax reform on the horizon.

If the stamp duty overhaul becomes reality, it could remove one of the biggest upfront costs of moving home — unlocking the next wave of activity across Bassetlaw.

For now, the message is clear: even in a shifting market, the right approach and the right agent can make all the difference.

At Nicholson’s, we consistently achieve above-average sale success rates thanks to high-impact marketing, experienced negotiators, and our SecureMove system.

If you’re considering selling, now is the time to plan ahead.

📞 Contact Nicholson’s Estate Agents today for expert advice or a free, no-obligation valuation, and discover how we can help you move forward with confidence.