Category: Press

What is Drawing Americans to the Cotswolds?

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

As increasing numbers of American buyers seek homes in the Cotswolds, CNN’s Business Reporter Anna Cooban reports on the region’s appeal, with insights from our Partner and Head of the Cotswolds, Harry Gladwin.

Cotswolds honey stone house ©Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution
Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

In the past 12-18 months, the number of American clients registering with The Buying Solution looking for property in the Cotswolds has grown by around 30%, reflecting the ever-increasing popularity of the area. CNN’s Business Reporter Anna Cooban explores this trend and speaks to Harry Gladwin, our Partner and Head of the Cotswolds, about the region’s appeal.

Watch here.

Is American Money Turning the Cotswolds into the Hamptons?

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

With American buyers pouring into the Cotswolds, this quintessentially English region is undergoing a striking transformation, Joshua Nelken-Zitser writes for Business Insider. Our Partner, Harry Gladwin, explores what’s driving the influx — and its long-term implications.

Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

The wave of high-profile American visitors or residents in the Cotswolds – from Taylor Swift and Ellen DeGeneres to JD Vance – has turned this bucolic stretch of countryside into one of the UK’s buzziest enclaves. Their arrival comes amid a record surge in US visitors and soaring spending across the UK, as wealthy travellers increasingly look to stay, not just holiday. Now, with applications for British citizenship hitting unprecedented highs, our Partner and Head of the Cotswolds, Harry Gladwin, shares his insights with Business Insider on what’s driving the boom.

Read the article here.

A Post-Budget Boost to the Property Market

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

With the Chancellor’s so-called ‘mansion tax’ in her Budget less severe than anticipated, wealthy buyers are returning to the London market, Emma Haslett reports for The Observer, with insights from Will Watson, Head of The Buying Solution.

Prime central London townhouses ©Sarah Frances Kelley
Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

After months of sluggish growth – fuelled in part by uncertainty over what Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget might contain – the property market is beginning to stir again, writes Emma Haslett for The Observer. Will Watson reflects on clients’ reactions in the days since the announcement and sets out his expectations for 2026.

Read the article here.

Is the ‘Forever Home’ a Thing of the Past?

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

As a new report suggests that the typical life aspiration of a forever home is losing its relevance, our Partner and Head of the Cotswolds, Harry Gladwin, speaks to Annabel Dixon at Country Life about what’s causing this shift among younger generations.

Detached Cotswolds stone house in the snow

As broader economic factors have made it harder then ever to secure a dream family home, new research from Zoopla suggests that growing numbers of young homeowners prioritise flexibility and renovation potential over permanence. In this feature in Country Life magazine, Harry shares his insight on people reassessing their ‘forever home’ earlier in life and why buyers value the option to move.

Read the article here.

Budget-Proof Your Home to Avoid Mansion Tax

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

With speculation mounting around a potential ‘mansion tax’ on properties valued above £2 million in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget, our Partners Harry Gladwin and Mark Lawson offered their insight to The Times for their tongue-in-cheek feature exploring the many (and often surprising) ways to devalue a home.

From artificial grass and indoor swimming pools to gaudy interior decoration and botched DIY jobs, David Byers reports for The Times on the myriad ways in which the value of a property can be reduced.

With a so-called ‘mansion tax’ on properties worth £2 million expected in the Budget on 26th November 2025, our Partners Harry Gladwin and Mark Lawson shared their tips on the home improvements which can actually devalue your home.

Read the article here.

Budget 2025: Hopes, Fears and Expectations

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

Amid mounting speculation on potential property tax rises, Head of The Buying Solution Will Watson spoke to PrimeResi about his hopes, fears and expectations ahead of the Budget announcement on 26th November 2025.

People in street outside Houses of Parliament. Westminster, London, UK.

With all manner of potential property tax rises rumoured in recent months – including a so-called ‘mansion tax’ on homes worth more than £2 million, capital gains tax on primary residences and replacing stamp duty with an annual levy – there has been much uncertainty in the market.

Will was one of 50 industry leaders, including estate agency owners, sales brokers, luxury developers and financiers, to share his views on the upcoming Budget in PrimeResi and why he believes that modernising council tax would be the most practical reform.

Read the article here.

Mansion Tax Speculation Slowing the Market

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

Amid reports that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering a new tax on properties worth £2 million or more, Head of The Buying Solution Will Watson shares his insights with The Telegraph‘s Dominic Penna and Pui-Guan Man.

Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

With speculation mounting ahead of the Budget announcement on 26 November about a so-called ‘mansion tax’, Will Watson, Head of The Buying Solution, spoke to The Telegraph about the effect this uncertainty is having on the property market.

Read the article here.

Can’t Get the Staff? Here’s Why…

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

Need a cleaner, gardener, or builder? If finding help feels harder than ever, you’re not alone. With rising costs, fewer tradespeople, and the lingering effects of Brexit, the home services shortage is biting, writes The Telegraph’s Alexandra Goss, with insights from our Partner Harry Gladwin.

Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

From being “ghosted” by cleaners to chasing builders who never call back (or quote fees that make your eyes water) it’s never been harder to find good help at home. Rising wages, higher National Insurance, steep material costs and Brexit have combined to create the perfect storm.

As our Partner and Head of the Cotswolds region tells Alexandra Goss for The Telegraph, keeping hold of a cleaner has become a competitive sport.

Read the article here.

How to Sell Your House in a Buyer’s Market

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

As housing stock reaches its highest level in a decade, Good Housekeeping’s Laura Whateley reveals eight essential tips to help sellers attract serious offers – with expert advice from our Partner, Mark Lawson.

Sarah Frances Kelley double fronted Georgian house Cotswolds
Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

Not long ago, sellers could list their homes with minimal preparation and still expect multiple offers within days. But in today’s buyer’s market, “sellers need to put in a little more effort to give their listing the edge,” writes Good Housekeeping’s Laura Whateley.

Our Partner for the Southern Counties and High Value Residential & Rural Estates, Mark Lawson MRICS, shared his expert advice on the quick fixes which can help secure an offer in a more competitive market.

Read the article here.



Could You Be Making Angela Rayner’s Stamp Duty Oversight?

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

Former housing secretary Angela Rayner’s much-discussed property dealings highlight a problem that our Partner Harry Gladwin sees often, particularly in high-value deals. In a recent column for The Times, Harry explains how assuming that one advisor can cover all bases can have far-reaching consequences.

London red brick apartment building.
Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

In a recent column for The Times, our Partner and Head of the Cotswolds Region Harry Gladwin writes that complex property transactions require robust, expert advice and a team of specialists; including tax advisers, planning lawyers, accountants and surveyors. “In property, mistakes are expensive and, as Angela Rayner discovered, getting it wrong can cost you far more than money,” he writes.

Read the article here.