The Willmott & Lake blog

On Thursday 16th October 2025, we hosted our annual Willmott & Lake Charity Quiz at The Belgian Brewer in Bishop’s Stortford — raising money for the incredible team at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT), a cause close to so...

The government has kicked off a consultation to modernise how homes are bought and sold in England — with the aim of making the process faster, clearer and less stressful. Early headlines suggest first-time buyers could save...

The government has kicked off a consultation to modernise how homes are bought and sold in England — with the aim of making the process faster, clearer and less stressful. Early headlines suggest first-time buyers could save...

Stamp Duty in 2025 – what’s being talked about and what it means locally There’s a lot of noise about “stamp duty changes” right now. The key point – nothing has been decided yet. Government is reportedly considering...

Market Update – September 2025 Base Rate held at 4% and local housing activity on the rise At Willmott & Lake we’re always keeping a close eye on the housing market and wider economic trends, so we can give our clients the...

August was quieter across the CM23 patch with homes. No surprise given school holidays and lots of people away but the month finished with a clear uplift in valuation requests. On that basis, we expect September to be stronger for...

Landlords mainly want two things – a great tenant and peace of mind that their property is being looked after. At Willmott & Lake we deliver both with sharp marketing and hands-on management across Bishop’s Stortford,...

The property market across CM23 remained active in July, with buyer interest holding firm and sellers adjusting expectations to meet current demand. Here's a breakdown of what’s happening in Bishop’s Stortford, Manuden,...

How to Choose the Right Letting Agent for Your Property Owning a rental property can be a great investment—but let’s be honest, managing it all can be a bit of a headache, especially in today’s market. If you're a landlord...

📈 CM23 Market Update – June 2025 What’s happening in the Bishop’s Stortford property market this month? As we head into the summer months, the property market in CM23 – including the always sought-after Bishop’s...