End of the Stamp Duty Holiday

    LONDON, ENGLAND, December 19, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Pre Budget Report did not bring an extension of the stamp duty exemption for property purchases up to GBP175,000, which means purchasers will face a stamp duty bill of up to GBP1,750 next year.

Commenting, David Hollingworth at L&C Mortgages said, "With much larger deposits required to secure a mortgage the exemption did at least help reduce the hefty cost of buying a home and its demise will not be welcomed by first time buyers in particular.

Those that are currently in the process of buying will need to keep well on top of things to ensure they complete their mortgage before the end of the year. Ensure that your solicitor will be available over the Christmas period and that all is in hand.

Those coming fresh to the market now would need a minor miracle to complete their purchase before the deadline."

-Ends-

Notes to Editor:
London & Country (L&C) is the UK's leading no-fee mortgage broker. Based in Bath, it provides whole of market advice via telephone and post to clients nationwide. As well as residential mortgages, it also specialises in the Buy-to-Let and adverse-credit sectors.

L&C is a Climate Neutral company and for the last seven years has invested in climate friendly projects and tree-planting to help offset its emissions and those of its customers. For more information, go to www.lcplc.co.uk/green

L&C has won numerous awards including:

Best Mortgage IFA/Adviser of the Year - Money Marketing, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008
Best Technology Adviser - Money Marketing 2007
Best Mortgage Broker outside London - Mortgage Strategy, 2004 and 2005
Best National Broker - Mortgage Introducer 2005, 2006 and 2007
Best Overall Broker - Mortgage Introducer 2005
Overall broker of the year - Pink Home Loans, 2006 and 2007
Top 100 company in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 for 2004 and 2005
Business of the Year - The Bath Business Awards 2005
Growth Strategy of the Year - National Business Awards (Wales and West) 2008
Business Leader (Broker) - British Mortgage Awards - 2008
Online Mortgage IFA of the Year - Financial Adviser - 2008

Press Contacts:

Richard Morea, Technical Manager
Office: 01225 341312
Mobile: 07970 885168

David Hollingworth, Head of Communications
Office: 01225 341211
Mobile: 07710 634044

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