UK housing sales remain subdued according to RICS
July 17, 2018
Latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey published 12th July 2018 headlined ‘UK housing sales remain subdued as rent expectations continue to heat up’.
The RICS survey reveals that: significantly, over the month, newly agreed sales have recorded the sixteenth successive month of continued decline, with 7% more respondents reporting a fall in agreed sales.
The survey states: For the second month in a row, new instructions have risen, with 10% more respondents seeing an increase in the flow of properties being put up for sale. However, with average stocks remaining close to historic lows at 43 it would be too early to suggest that this issue is lessening as an obstacle.
Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist said:
“It is hard to see what is going to provide much impetus for activity in the housing market in the near term. Meanwhile the on-going challenges around lifting the delivery pipeline, reflected in last week’s disappointing data on housing starts, is captured in the suspicion in the survey that prices are likely to resume an upward course over the coming year. The challenge is also visible in the response of the private lettings market to change to the tax treatment on investment properties. While it is understandable that the government wanted to provide a lift for first time buyers, this may well come at the cost of higher rents as the appeal of buy to let diminishes.”
Read the latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey 12th July 2018 in full click here.
You May Also Enjoy
First-time buyer enquiries fall 27% as borrowing costs rise
First-time buyer enquiries a quarter lower than last year as higher borrowing costs put moving plans on ice The gap between housing supply and demand continues to widen as sales slow First-time buyer enquiries are a quarter (27 per cent) lower than last year in the wake of the the Bank of England’s decision…
Read More 
Homes completing on Friday the 13th sell for less
With Friday the 13th fast approaching, new research from Homebuyer.Agency has revealed that homes completing on the supposedly unlucky date have sold for as much as £24,950 below the wider market median, while properties bearing the number 13 have also consistently commanded lower prices. Homebuyer.Agency analysed Land Registry price paid data across England and Wales…
Read More 
Surrey, Herts & Bucks named most exclusive markets
Surrey, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire have been named England’s most exclusive new-build property markets outside London, according to new research from UK Property Development (UKPD), with these counties boasting the highest proportions of new homes commanding asking prices of £1 million or more. UKPD analysed current new-build property listings across England using Rightmove data, before looking…
Read More 
Friday the 13th spooks home-movers
Rightmove analysis reveals that people avoid moving on Friday the 13th, despite Friday usually being the busiest day for home moves Analysis of Land Registry data going back to 1995 shows that Friday the 13th is the quietest Friday for home moves The 13th is also the quietest day of the month for home moves,…
Read More 
Section 21 reform divides landlords and tenants
Five months after Section 21 was abolished, landlords and tenants remain sharply divided over whether the reform was necessary, but both sides agree that good relationships and clear communication have the greatest influence on how secure a renter feels, according to new research from LRG. The Autumn 2026 Lettings Report, based on responses from 405…
Read More 
70% of landlords anticipate rent rise due to Autumn Budget
As landlord exodus threatens rental supply The latest research from LegalforLandlords has found that 70% of UK landlords are considering increasing rents following the Government’s latest property income tax changes, while almost half are considering selling properties or reducing their portfolios, raising concerns about the future availability and affordability of privately rented homes. LegalforLandlords commissioned…
Read More