The average cost of moving home is now £9,000, having increased by nearly 70% during the last decade. However those living in the south-east pay an average of around £16,500 while in London that figure is £19,500, according to a report from Lloyds TSB. When you combine these costs with the current demand for higher equity levels or large deposits by lenders, then it's easy to see why property sales are at record lows. However first-time buyers are currently paying considerably less at an average of £3,300 which is mainly due to lack of estate agents commission, lower solicitors fees and also because of the current exemption on stamp duty for properties bought costing less than £250,000. When this tax break ends in March costs will be significantly higher.

The Lloyds report took into account the cost of stamp duty, mortgage arrangement fees, solicitors and surveyors fees, estate agents fees and removal firm costs. At an average of 38% of total costs, estate agents commission is still the largest fee, but stamp duty is close behind at 21%. According to a report in a newspaper last year, if stamp duty had kept pace with inflation the £250,000 threshold which currently incurs 3% stamp duty would now be £650,000, and the £500,000 threshold which incurs stamp duty of 4% would be £1.3 million. Although many homes are unaffected by these higher levels, more and more ordinary family homes are falling into the 3% price bracket.