Owning your own home

I seriously considered it when my buyer fell through but eventually decided the risk was too great.

I couldn't afford to leave it empty and pay the mortgage so would need tenants. That then probably knocks out the first year or so in terms of a sale and if you can't line up the sale with the tenancy you're going to have expensive vacant spells. Renting was also a very low yield as the tax position isn't as favourable as it used to be.

Also, if you can't get it sold in the three years you're getting extra stamp duty. However, with the expected turmoil in the next few years there's a reasonable chance that property values will fall and you'll have to decide whether to hold on to it for the price to increase again or sell in order to reclaim the stamp duty.

You're obviously doubly exposed to property price fluctuations as well. Also things like the proposals to do away with capital gains tax and merge it with income tax could impact (although if it does it will mean the property value has increased).