The stamp duty holiday deadline on March 31 is fast approaching and subsequently buyers who want to take advantage may well have missed their opportunity to get their sale competed in time.

The huge demand brought about by the ‘holiday’ has slightly backfired. The sheer volume of buyers and sellers means that delays are endemic and many experts are warning that thousands of buyers are likely to miss out on the £15,000 tax break.

Pressure is already being put on Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, to extend the holiday but the government has now categorically stated that it will not extend the deadline.

If you do miss the deadline then there is no need for despair, because some pundits think you may actually be better off waiting.

Sure, your tax bill will go up in April, but as demand inevitably slackens and the market cools you might be able to negotiate a better deal on your new home and level up that way.