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Homebuyer demand hits three year high

Demand from homebuyers increased at its fastest rate in almost three years last month, with purchasers across the UK looking to test the pre-Christmas market, according to the latest housing market survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). During October chartered surveyors reported a considerable rebound in new buyer enquiries with a net balance of 18% more respondents reporting rises, up from +5%. It appears that the growing optimism shown in recent months may slowly be translating into an upturn in activity.

Stabilizing Property Prices

The supply of homes coming onto the UK market also rose to its highest level since April 2011, as more vendors look to take advantage of growing demand from buyers. Property prices across the UK continued to stabilise with a net balance of 7% more surveyors reporting drops. While still in negative territory, falls have now continued to slow for three consecutive months and this represents the least negative reading in over two years. Regionally, all areas of the UK saw improvements in levels of demand with the exception of Northern Ireland and Scotland. Significantly, the North East and the West Midlands saw the most notable rises, with surveyors in those regions reporting net balance readings of +56% and +35% respectively.

The Role of Seasonal Trends in Homebuyer Behavior

Looking ahead, chartered surveyors are hopeful that the current upturn in interest should translate into a greater number of sales, as a net balance of 25% more respondents predicted rises in transactions over the coming three months. Ian Perry, RICS housing spokesperson, commented: “The number of potential buyers going out and viewing property saw a welcome boost last month. It seems that with Christmas around the corner, those who are in a position to buy decided to get out there and see what is available. That being said, overall activity is still very low in most parts of the country and what the market desperately needs is for this to translate into actual sales.

“Initiatives like the NewBuy scheme are all well and good but they need time to bed in and take effect, and access to affordable mortgage finance is still very difficult for many first time buyers. With the Autumn Statement around the corner, we would like to see the government continue to focus on delivering new homes and encouraging the banks to lend at affordable levels.”

Article courtesy of Property Investor Today“”