24 June 2009

NAEA: FOUR HOUSE HUNTERS FOR EVERY PROPERTY

Demand is outstripping supply across the UK housing market, with estate agents registering four house hunters to every available property.

The monthly market survey of the National Association of Estate Agents found that the average branch had 299 house hunters on its books in May – up from 265 the previous month and 247 in May 2008.

The average branch had 69 properties on its books. For the second month running estate agents also reported a successful selling period.

The average branch sold 10 properties, a 30 per cent increase on the same time last year and double that sold on average in August 2008. Gary Smith, President of the NAEA, said: “This is really good news for the housing market and the UK economy in general.

“NAEA members are showing that there are buyers a-plenty out there. More often than not these are also potential sellers who are at the beginning of the process – so there is bound to be a lag which creates a shortage of properties in the short term.

“With mortgage interest rates at historically low levels and prices now far more realistic than in previous years, home ownership in the UK seems to be set to lead the way out of the recession.”

Ends

Editor Notes

Editor Notes:

About the NAEA

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), the residential sales arm of the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP), is the UK’s leading professional body for estate agency personnel, representing the interests of around 10,000 members who practice across all aspects of property services both in the UK and overseas. These include residential and commercial sales and lettings, property management, business transfer, auctioneering and land.

The National Association of Estate Agents is dedicated to the goal of professionalism within all aspects of property, estate agency and land. Its aim is to reassure the general public that by appointing an NAEA member to represent them they will receive in return the highest level of integrity and service in both sales and lettings, for all property matters. Each NAEA member is bound by a vigorously enforced Code of Practice and adheres to professional Rules of Conduct. Failure to do so can result in heavy financial penalties and possible expulsion from the Association.

For further information contact:

 NFOPP PRESS OFFICE Tel: 020 3128 8181

 E-mail: press@nfoppmedia.com

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