What a difference a year makes...

As the saying so nearly goes, what a difference a year makes. Ben Robinson and Rob Gurney of Landmark join podcast host David Opie to reflect on the last 12 months in the property market and to look at the latest property trends data.  The property market has swayed from being one favourable to sellers, to one much more favourable to buyers as the latest data shows listings remain strong, while socio-economic factors continue to play havoc with demand.  Recorded in the days running up to the autumn budget the profession awaits John Healey's first budget as Chancellor with bated breath.  According to the latest data new conveyancing instructions have continued to decline throughout the third quarter. July saw case volumes down 10% year-on-year, August down 11%, and September down 13%, resulting in an overall quarterly reduction of 11% compared with the same period in 2025. Although completion figures performed marginally better, they were still significantly lower than the previous year, with overall completions down 7% across the quarter. And if transaction numbers continue to fall through the Autumn as expected, what does that mean for conveyancers? There is little evidence to suggest to transaction timelines are falling; indeed completion and exchange timelines are actually extending, undermining the long-held belief that excessive volumes are the primary cause of delays. Instead the data suggests the underlying conveyancing process itself remains inefficient, strengthening the case for meaningful reform of the home-buying and selling process says Gurney.  The takeaway for conveyancers, estate agents, lenders and all those involved in the property transaction is rather than waiting for government intervention, it must take an active role in shaping it says Robinson, with initiatives like Project28 one of the vehicles through which voices are being heard.  The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views.  Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software and InfoTrack