choosing new construction is a want-to decision that depends on confidence and clarity. And that's true more so now than almost any time in more than a decade. Buying new now requires suspending disbelief that it's the right time. It involves feeling so compelled by a product, a price, and a place that a buyer will take a leap despite hesitation. This is the core challenge homebuilders face heading into 2026: not pushing people to buy, but persuading people to believe.
Rumours of a 'Mansion Tax' on homes worth more than £1.5 million are already creating ripples across the UK property market. Even before any formal announcement, experts say the prospect of new taxation is influencing how buyers and sellers approach high‑value properties, particularly in London and the South East. For homeowners near the proposed threshold, understanding the potential consequences is essential, as early signals suggest that house prices in these high-value areas could face downward pressure.