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Foxtons reports a 16.5% rise in London new‑homes volumes in H1 2025 and stronger revenues, citing first‑time buyers and improved mortgage availability as drivers — but warns H2 depends on lender behaviour and interest‑rate moves.
Foxtons says it recorded a 16.5% rise in London new‑homes sales volumes in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period a year earlier, with a smaller 2.2% increase in the total value of those sales. According to the firm’s internal data reported to the trade press, first‑time buyers accounted for the bulk of activity at 58.5% of purchases, landlords made up 25.4% and home movers 16.1%. Mortgage‑funded transactions represented 72.6% of sales, while cash buyers were 27.4%.
Joel Ellis‑Duffy, Foxtons’ new homes sales director, told The Intermediary that the London market “has continued to show why it is a great long‑term investment” and that first‑time buyers and off‑plan sales are providing a positive signal for the second half of the year. He added the firm expects momentum to continue as buyers benefit from recent improvements in the mortgage landscape and, he said, the Government’s stated intention to ease lending criteria. The company’s comments reflect an upbeat read of its own sales pipeline and customer mix rather than an independent market-wide audit.
Those operational results sit alongside the group’s formal interim financials filed to the market. Foxtons reported group revenue up around 10% to £86.1m for the half‑year to 30 June 2025 and an adjusted operating profit increase of about 31% to £12.3m, with sales revenue notably stronger and management highlighting improved conversion from under‑offer pipelines and gains in market share. The interim statement also flagged that part of the H1 activity was driven by timing effects around a Q1 stamp‑duty deadline and cautioned that the outlook for H2 remains dependent on interest‑rate movements.
Those company figures sit against a backdrop of recent policy moves designed to widen mortgage access. In mid‑July the Government published a permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme intended to support 91–95% loan‑to‑value lending from July 2025, explicitly to help first‑time buyers and home movers access mortgages with smaller deposits by providing participating lenders with a guarantee for higher‑LTV lending. Officials say the scheme’s aim is to increase availability of higher‑LTV products while setting out eligibility and operational rules for lenders.
At the same time, the Bank of England’s July 2025 Financial Stability Report set out adjustments to the loan‑to‑income (LTI) flow limit that will allow individual lenders greater flexibility to increase higher‑LTI lending while keeping an aggregate cap. The Financial Policy Committee framed the change as a way to improve access to credit for creditworthy borrowers, subject to prudential safeguards and monitoring to contain systemic risk. Taken together, the government and regulator measures signal official intent to ease some affordability constraints while attempting to guard financial stability.
Foxtons also emphasised the continued importance of cash buyers — noting in its commentary that some cash purchases can exchange in around ten days — a point that matches wider industry guidance on chain‑free cash transactions. Industry advisers note genuine cash, chain‑free purchases can complete markedly faster than mortgage transactions — sometimes in as little as a week or two where title and searches are straightforward — but they warn sellers to verify proof of funds and to take independent legal advice to avoid scams or sub‑optimal pricing when prioritising speed.
Independent property trade coverage has recorded similar signs of stronger new‑build activity across London, reporting rising exchange volumes and values, increased offers and developer appetite to launch schemes. Industry commentators point to improved buyer confidence in new‑build product and to brokers and agents winning greater market share as sales convert, while also noting that such momentum can be uneven by location and price band.
Taken together, the data and policy shifts sketch a cautiously constructive picture for new‑homes activity in London: Foxtons’ internal figures and market filings point to stronger volumes and profitability in H1, while government and regulatory changes are lowering some barriers for buyers. That said, the company itself — and its interim results — stress a degree of caution: H2 performance will be sensitive to interest‑rate developments and to how broadly lenders adopt greater flexibility in lending standards. Sellers and buyers should therefore weigh the benefits of quicker, cash‑led deals against the protections and pricing brought by more conventional mortgage transactions.
For now, Foxtons is optimistic that the combination of policy easing, improved mortgage availability and sustained first‑time buyer demand will keep momentum into the autumn. Observers will be watching actual lender behaviour, the pace of scheme take‑up and whether broader macro moves on rates alter the pace of activity through the rest of 2025.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent data from Foxtons’ internal reports, dated August 13, 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is July 30, 2025, from Foxtons’ official press release detailing their half-year results. ([marketscreener.com](https://www.marketscreener.com/news/foxtons-half-year-results-2025-press-release-ce7c5fded188f12c?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the presence of recycled content suggests a need for caution. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative has not been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. No similar content has appeared more than 7 days earlier.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Joel Ellis-Duffy, Foxtons’ new homes sales director. A search for the earliest known usage of these quotes reveals no identical matches in earlier material, suggesting they are original or exclusive content. No variations in quote wording were found.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Intermediary, a UK-based publication focusing on mortgage news. While it is a specialised outlet, it is not as widely recognised as major media organisations like the Financial Times or BBC. The report cites Foxtons’ internal data and includes direct quotes from Joel Ellis-Duffy, whose public presence and role at Foxtons are verifiable. However, the publication’s overall credibility is less established compared to more prominent sources.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents plausible claims, such as a 16.5% rise in new homes sales volumes and a 2.2% increase in total sales value, aligning with Foxtons’ reported financial performance. The breakdown of buyer demographics and transaction types is consistent with industry trends. The report also references recent policy moves, including the government’s Mortgage Guarantee Scheme and adjustments to loan-to-income limits by the Bank of England, which are publicly documented. The language and tone are consistent with industry reporting, and the structure focuses on relevant details without excessive or off-topic information.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents recent data from Foxtons’ internal reports, including original quotes from Joel Ellis-Duffy, and aligns with publicly available information on recent policy moves. While the source is a specialised publication with less established credibility compared to major media outlets, the content appears plausible and consistent with industry trends. The presence of recycled content suggests a need for caution, but overall, the narrative passes the fact-checking criteria.
