Summer can make a home look its best, but keeping it viewing-ready while family life carries on is another matter.

Within Letchworth, one estate is climbing strongly, one has barely moved, and the gap is not really about location.

In Tewin, Burnham Green and Digswell, a single sale can move the average. That is not the same as the market moving.

July’s Hitchin property market shows a mixed picture, with Hitchin Town, Benslow, Bearton, the Poets Estate, Walworth, Purwell and the surrounding villages all seeing rising choice for buyers and more realistic pricing from sellers.