Bleak statements from some property organisations, suggest the market is in trouble thanks to Brexit uncertainty, but Rightmove portal visits in the first fortnight of 2019 were five per cent up on last year – with 4.5m visits each day on average, it’s a pretty active market.
The portal also insists that the number of properties coming to market in the first two weeks in the year are broadly the same as a year ago, and with visits up by five per cent on 2018 and at record levels for this time of year, it is encouraging that potential home-movers are still searching in vast numbers.
Also, despite growing by just 2.7% in 2018 with Brexit fears slowing the market, the total value of UK housing stock increased to £190 billion to hit a record £7.29 trillion, with London accounting for almost a quarter of the UK’s housing value.
Across the UK as a whole, price appreciation added a total £138 billion, some 72% of total gains, growth of £4,800 per home. The uplift came from new housing development, which made its highest ever contribution to total gains at 28%.
Also, the increasingly cash dominated private rented sector saw its value rise faster than all other tenures, up 4.1% to pass the £1.5 trillion mark for the first time.
Given this data it’s actually a GREAT time to buy.
We have a large choice of homes in all ranges, to satisfy most buyers.
No panic buying, come out on a viewing tour with one of our team and see several houses on a designated block of viewings, allowing you to compare immediately and make the right informed decision… after all it’s probably the biggest investment you’ll have to make in your life.
Register now with us, as between our Ashford and Staines offices we have over 120 houses available to view – beat the rush!
Sales agreed to date 16
Sales exchanged 12
Let’s agreed 9
All the above done within the first 3 weeks of January 2019. Do you have a challenge for S J Smith? Get in touch with us here.