Thursday, January 19, 2012
Interest in UK property rose during December bucking previous
winter trends, according to estate agents.
The market report for December showed an
increase in the number of house-hunters registering with an agent
across the country, from an average of 262 per branch in November
to 294 in December. In contrast in December 2010, demand for
property reduced to 227, from 241 in November.
NAEA President Wendy Evans-Scott said: "It is pleasing to see
that prospective house-hunters remained determined to continue
their search for a home despite the slowdown we normally expect to
see at this busy time of the year.
"While this has not currently converted into actual sales, which
were slightly lower than in previous months, I remain confident
that this clear demand for property will be met with sensible
pricing of homes by sellers in 2012."
The number of homes available for sale decreased from 65 per
branch in November to 62 in December, while the number of sales
also decreased, from 6 per branch to 5 per branch on average, its
lowest level in a year. This figure is the same as in December 2010
and a reduced level is what one would expect at this time of the
year.
The percentage of sales made to first time buyers actually
increased from 19 per cent in November to 21 per cent in December,
although this figure is down on last year, when this part of the
market held a 25 per cent share.