Time is running short for homebuyers in England to save up to £15,000 on stamp duty.

When lockdown restrictions were eased last July, the Government raised the exemption threshold for the tax on the purchase price of properties from £125,000 to £500,000.

The reform was intended to boost the house market and the overall economy of the country although reports of sellers pushing up prices deflated initial excitement somewhat.

Unless the current stamp duty concession is extended beyond March, previous rates will be reintroduced from the beginning of April.

As a result, mortgage advisers, estate agents, conveyancers and other professionals engaged in house purchase are working flat out to help buyers complete their purchase before the March 31 deadline.

One hundred and thirty thousand sales have been agreed in the last month, up 44 per cent on 2019, according to Rightmove.

Nick Pounce at Savills in Amersham says the most recent lockdown has cemented the idea that, more than ever, quality of life has to be a prime consideration when buyers choose the next place to live. Towns and villages in Bucks within an easy commute of the capital are top of the pops right now. Green spaces and lots of them close by win the day. “We expect activity to remain strong into the spring, “ Nick confirms.

These are some of the new developments in Bucks:

High Wycombe

Centre Square

In a nutshell: One and two bedroom flats in the new quarter on the western side of the town centre, opposite an entrance to the Eden Centre. Prices from £235,000.

Highlights: 10 minutes’ walk to the station and no more than a short stroll from shops, supermarkets restaurants, cinema `and the library.

Developer: Inland Homes (inlandhomes.co.uk/developments/centre-square).

Amersham

Long Park

More details: https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbnhrdnod190130

In a nutshell: Four family homes – three completed and one last one currently being built

Prices from £1.65m

Five bedrooms, large gardens

Contact Nick Pounce at Savills Amersham – Npounce@savills.com or 01494 787785

Drake Lodge

In a nutshell: Eight one and two bedroom apartments in the contemporary block newly built in Rickmansworth Road.

Prices from £465,000.

Developer: Shanly Homes

Beaconsfield

Wilton Park

More details: https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbbfrsbcs200233

In a nutshell: 48 refurbished three and four bedroom family homes

Prices from £750,000

Contact Chris Moorhouse at Savills Beaconsfield: CMoorhouse@savills.com or 01494 731955

Launching soon: Poshers Court, Gregories Road

In a nutshell: Five apartments and a penthouse, each with private terrace or balcony. This will be the first newly built apartment block in Beaconsfield with a private cinema and gym for residents. A games room complete with pool table will raise the bar for amenities included in a package offered by developers in the south Bucks town.

Other highlights: underground parking (each property has two parking spaces included in the price) also marble floors with underground heating, Sonos sound system and a sauna. No prices yet.

Agent: Tim Russ, Beaconsfield

Penn

Four Winds, Hammersley Lane

More details: https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbBFRSNOD200009

In a nutshell: Four 5-bedroom family homes – two remaining

Prices from £1.2m

Contact Chris Moorhouse at Savills Beaconsfield

Longwick

Wickfields

Reservations are now being taken for two-, three- and four bedroom houses in the second phase of what will be a 160-home development off Barn Road. Only two houses are still for sale from the completed first phase. Price for four bedroom detached: £654,000.

Highlights: Large private gardens plus communal play area

Developer: Bellway

Aylesbury

Barratt’s Kingsbrook development incorporates three villages: Orchard Green, Canal Quarter and Oakfield Village

Two, three and four-beds. Prices from £308,995. Discount for NHS workers

Highlights: 60 per cent of Kingsbrook is open space including 250-acre nature area, orchards, parks, cycleways. Shuttle bus service every 30 minutes to Aylesbury station. A41 less than five minutes’ drive.

Sales office: 0333 355 8500

The Arc

Shanly development of one and two bedroom apartments in the centre of town. Prices from £199,500 for one beds, from £239,000 for two beds.

More details from shanlyhomes.com/developments/Buckinghamshire-arc.

Merchants Place

In a nutshell: 31 two and three bedroom houses a mile from Aylesbury station and a few yards further on from the high street .

Developer Shanly Homes, contact details as above.

Haddenham

The Grove

Two-, three- and four-bedroom houses priced from £320,000, also two-bed bungalows. Help to Buy on some plots.

Highlights: Village development is 15 minutes’ walk from Thame Parkway station (46 minutes to London Marylebone, 29 minutes to Oxford). Local schools with Outstanding Ofsted rating.

Developer: Dandara. Sales office: 01442 913716

Four Winds, Hammersley Lane, Penn

More details: https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbBFRSNOD200009

Four family homes – two remaining

Five bedrooms

Prices from £1.2m

Contact Chris Moorhouse at Savills Beaconsfield