New Home Part Exchange Schemes: A Smarter Way to Move in 2025
Selling your current home while buying a new one can feel like walking a tightrope — balancing time, money, and stress all at once. But what if you could skip the property chain entirely?
That’s where new home part exchange schemes come in — a practical, increasingly popular solution for homeowners who want a smooth, stress-free move into a brand-new property.
Whether you’re upgrading to a larger home, downsizing, or simply tired of buyer uncertainty, part exchange offers a level of simplicity that’s rare in the London housing market.
What Is a Part Exchange Scheme?
A part exchange (PX) scheme allows you to trade in your current home directly to a property developer when purchasing one of their new-build homes.
Instead of waiting for a buyer, the developer acts as your purchaser — meaning:
No estate agent fees
No property chains
No fear of a sale falling through
You simply agree on a fair market valuation for your current home, and that value is offset against the price of your new one.
In other words: you sell your old home and buy your new one in one smooth transaction.
How the Process Works
Choose Your New Build – Select a home from a developer offering part exchange.
Valuation of Your Current Home – The developer instructs two or three independent agents to assess your property’s market value.
Offer Stage – Based on those valuations, the developer makes a formal offer (usually valid for 7–14 days).
Agreement – If accepted, the developer buys your home, and you move into the new property when it’s ready.
You stay in your existing home right up to the move-in date, meaning no temporary accommodation or double-move costs.
Why It’s Growing in Popularity
Part exchange isn’t new, but it’s rapidly gaining traction as UK property chains grow more fragile and buyer delays become common.
According to Rightmove’s Market Trends Report (2025), nearly 28% of agreed sales in London fall through before completion — often due to financing issues or buyer withdrawals.
Meanwhile, Savills reports that chain-free new build sales now complete 30–40% faster than resale transactions.
Part exchange eliminates both problems — offering buyers certainty and speed in a market where both are precious commodities.
Top Benefits of a New Home Part Exchange Scheme
1. Certainty in Uncertain Times
Once the developer agrees to buy your property, you’re guaranteed a sale.
No waiting. No fall-throughs. No panic calls from estate agents.
2. No Estate Agent Fees
Since the developer buys your property directly, you save thousands in agency commissions and marketing costs.
3. Chain-Free Transaction
With no onward chain, there’s less risk and less stress. It’s one of the most powerful advantages in a market as complex as London’s.
4. Move When Your New Home Is Ready
Most developers allow you to stay in your current property until your new one is built and ready to move into. No short-term rentals, no storage costs.
5. Peace of Mind & Time Savings
The process cuts down on multiple viewings, negotiations, and waiting periods — saving months of uncertainty.
Who Qualifies for Part Exchange?
Eligibility varies between developers, but in most cases:
Your current home must be in good condition and saleable on the open market.
The value of your home is typically 70–80% or less of the new property’s price.
The property must be in the UK and free of structural issues or short leases.
Developers often focus on conventional, freehold or standard-construction homes, and may decline listed buildings or unusual properties.
(Sources: Barratt Developments Buyer Insight 2025; Taylor Wimpey Buyer Scheme Data 2025)
Key UK Developers Offering Part Exchange
As of 2025, several leading UK developers have rolled out competitive part exchange programmes:
Barratt Homes – Guarantees a buyer for your property and allows occupancy until completion.
Taylor Wimpey – Requires your current home to be worth no more than 70% of the new home’s value.
Persimmon Homes – Offers independent valuations and covers legal fees on some plots.
Bellway Homes – Provides valuation flexibility and chain-free exchanges.
Redrow – Offers a “Part Exchange Plus” model, combining PX with additional moving incentives.
(Sources: Developer Annual Reports 2025; NHBC New Homes Data 2025)
What Are the Drawbacks?
While part exchange schemes are convenient, they’re not without trade-offs.
Slightly Lower Valuation: Developers typically offer around 90–95% of true market value, factoring in their resale costs.
Limited Availability: Only select developments and plots qualify.
Reduced Negotiation Flexibility: Once you’re in the scheme, the new build price may have less room for negotiation.
Condition Requirements: Homes with structural or legal issues may be rejected.
Still, for many homeowners, the certainty and convenience far outweigh the marginal discount.
Example Scenario
Imagine your current home is valued at £400,000, and you’re purchasing a new build priced at £550,000.
If the developer offers £380,000 for your current home:
You effectively need to finance or mortgage only the £170,000 difference.
You save roughly £5,000–£7,000 in estate agent fees.
You avoid the stress of marketing, waiting, and potential fall-throughs.
It’s a fair trade-off for peace of mind and time saved.
Market Trends: Why Part Exchange Matters in 2025
The London property market is increasingly competitive:
Mortgage approvals in mid-2025 dropped by 12% year-on-year, according to UK Finance.
New build sales fell by nearly 20%, as buyers became more cautious. (Source: Homes England Housing Data, 2025)
Developers are responding by enhancing incentives — including part exchange, deposit contributions, and price locks — to stimulate buyer confidence.
As interest rates stabilise into 2026, part exchange is expected to remain one of the most valuable tools for converting buyers hesitant to commit under traditional conditions.
Expert Insight
According to the Home Builders Federation (HBF), more than one in five new build buyers in 2024–25 used either a part exchange or assisted move scheme.
It’s especially popular among buyers moving within the same region — trading older properties for energy-efficient, low-maintenance homes in newly developed communities.
For many, part exchange isn’t just about convenience — it’s about securing a modern home without the uncertainty of an open market sale.
Conclusion
New home part exchange schemes have become one of the smartest solutions for modern homeowners. They take the stress, delay, and unpredictability out of moving — and replace it with certainty, control, and simplicity.
In a fast-paced market like London, where time and timing are everything, part exchange offers a rare combination: financial clarity and emotional relief.
If you’re planning your next move, it’s worth exploring whether your preferred development offers a part exchange option — it could turn a complex process into a seamless transition.