20 January 2010
NAEA: SEASONAL LULL CAN’T MASK 12-MONTH RECOVERY
The number of people searching for property soared by more than 25 per cent in the 12 months to December, according to the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA).
The NAEA’s monthly market report found that the average estate agent had 251 house-hunters on its books in December, compared to 200 in December 2008.
The number of people looking to buy had fallen from 279 in November, as expected during the traditional festive slowdown in the property market. This slowdown saw the number of sales agreed per branch drop from eight (7.6) in November to five (4.9) in December.
The number of properties available for sale per branch increased slightly from 58 in November to 59 in December.
President of the NAEA, Gary Smith said: "December is always a slow month for estate agents as house-hunters tend to take a break from their property search.
“Given the usual seasonal lull, these figures are very much in line with our expectations but nevertheless continue to demonstrate a marked improvement on December 2008.
“We are now more interested in how the market will bounce back in January, given that the Government has not responded to our requests to extend the Stamp Duty holiday, which ended in December. Thousands of potential buyers are still in need of help and further, more robust, action is needed to make mortgages more available.”
*Please find a copy of the market report for December attached*
ENDS
Editor Notes: About the NAEA The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) 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 NAEA is a sister organisation to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). The NAEA 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. Both NAEA and ARLA members are bound by a vigorously enforced Code of Practice and adhere to professional Rules of Conduct. Failure to do so can result in heavy financial penalties and possible expulsion from the Associations. For further information contact: NAEA PRESS OFFICE Tel: 020 3128 8181 E-mail: press@nfoppmedia.com
Editor Notes
Editor Notes:
About the NAEA
The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) 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 NAEA is a sister organisation to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).
The NAEA 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.
Both NAEA and ARLA members are bound by a vigorously enforced Code of Practice and adhere to professional Rules of Conduct.
Failure to do so can result in heavy financial penalties and possible expulsion from the Associations.
For further information contact: NAEA PRESS OFFICE Tel: 020 3128 8181 E-mail: press@nfoppmedia.com
