Housing market moving despite Brexit woes

As sellers continued to market their homes in December, the supply of available housing increased by a fifth (20 per cent) from 35 in November to 42.

This is the highest level seen for the month of December since 2014.

Demand for housing

In December the number of house hunters registered per estate agent branch increased by eight per cent, from 282 in November to 304 Year-on-year, demand is up 13 per cent, from 268 in December 2017.
Sales to FTBs

The number of properties sold to FTBs increased marginally from 23 per cent in November to 24 per cent last month Year-on-year however, the number of sales made to this group are down from 32 per cent.

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Sales agreed

The number of sales agreed per member branch fell from nine in September, eight in October, seven in November and five in December
This is in line with seasonal trends as it’s the lowest this figure has been since last December, when it was also five. Mark Hayward, chief executive, NAEA Property Mark said, “This month’s findings prove that despite the current political climate, people still want to move. There is movement in the market with demand from house hunters up 13 per cent year-on-year, and the supply of available properties also rising.

“Although the number of sales agreed hit a 12-month low, this is something we always see in December, with Christmas festivities typically taking priority over any plans to buy or sell.

“While many are adopting a ‘wait and see’ strategy until there’s further clarity over what Brexit might mean for the market, there is choice for those who want to buy now, and there are people on the market looking for new homes.”

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