Demand from buyers and agreed sales are declining once more according to RICS

November 9, 2017

According to the latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey – October 2017 published today both demand from buyers and agreed sales are declining once more, while price trends are now flat.

They state: Subdued sales trends now being reported across most regions of the UK as demand from new buyers continues to decline, the national price indicator now flat with London and the South East still downbeat.

They also mention that in October, interest from buyers continued to decline with 20% more respondents seeing a fall in new buyer enquiries over the month.

As far as housing stock is concerned  the latest RICS results point to a renewed deterioration in the flow of fresh listings coming to market (net balance -14%).

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist said:

“The combination of the increased cost of moving, a lack of fresh stock coming to the market, uncertainly over the political climate and now an interest rate hike appears to be taking its toll on activity in the housing market. With both buyer enquiries slipping and sales expectations also subdued, the sense is that home owners are staying put and first time purchasers are increasingly focusing on that part of the market supported by the Help to Buy incentive. A stagnant second-hand market is bad news for the wider economy, not just in terms of spending but also because it restricts mobility.

“Prices do now seem under pressure at the more expensive end of the market with a further rise in the number of properties transacting at below the asking price. But it is important to not characterise the whole of the market by what is happening in parts of London and the wider South-East”.

Read the RICS UK Residential Market Survey – October 2017 published today in full click here.

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

2026 Will Test BTR’s Potential and Government’s Resolve

By Justine Edmonds, Head of Build to Rent / Leasing Strategies, LRG Throughout 2025 I have spent hours in meetings with and on discussion panels with institutional investors, developers and local authorities. And everything I’ve picked up on in the last year suggests that 2026 will be a crossroads for Build to Rent (BTR). The…
Read More →
Breaking News

December Cash Buyers on the Decline

So is a sale before Christmas still possible? New analysis from Springbok Properties reveals that the number of cash buyers declines in December, so any sellers who are keen to secure a quick sale ahead of Christmas might need to explore different avenues. Springbok Properties have studied historic data on the estimated number of cash…
Read More →
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 10/12/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Fine & Country welcomes back Managing Director Nicky Stevenson  Fine & Country is pleased to announce the return of Managing Director, Nicky Stevenson, following her maternity leave. Stevenson, who has played a central role in driving the brand’s growth and strengthening its position in…
Read More →
Breaking News

Rental demand drops to six-year low

Rental demand drops to six-year low as supply improves and rental growth slows to 2.2 per cent reports Zoopla   Demand for rented homes has fallen by a fifth over the last year and is the lowest for six years. There are 15% more homes for rent than last year, boosting choice for renters UK…
Read More →
Christmas Decorations - Good or Bad for Selling
Breaking News

Christmas move-in rush drives short-term rental spikes

Christmas move-in rush drives short-term rental spikes, while year-on-year affordability remains largely unchanged Year-on-year trends remain relatively stable, with most regions showing small changes in rent levels and required salaries. Short-term rental volatility is now the dominant driver of affordability shifts, with North East, Wales, South West, Yorkshire & Humberside, and parts of the Midlands…
Read More →
Breaking News

Dwelly reveals the strongest rental market for current returns

The latest research from Dwelly has highlighted which pockets of the British rental market are currently providing landlords with the greatest returns, helping them combat the incoming tax hikes announced in last week’s Autumn Budget. Dwelly analysed the latest Government house price data alongside the most recent rental market figures from the ONS to identify…
Read More →