The Woolwich estimates it costs, on average, £17,000 to move into a semi-detached house. It's a combination of estate agents' commission, solicitor's fees and, crucially, stamp duty, and, frankly, it's not that shocking. Semi-detached homes in London are an expensive rarity, and I'd be surprised to find the HousePriceCrash fellas grabbing their violins over this. More interestingly, the report suggests that, nationally, most sales fall within or below the 1% stamp duty band (up to £250,000), and the cost of moving for most people (outside London) has been massively outstripped by the increase in property values. More here.

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