How is the housing market going?
The new year has started with the usual raft of property surveys – and MHP has been speaking to the media in regards to its clients’ views for the year ahead.
Of particular note was the latest view of the market in the beginning of this New Year, and a positive story from the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA).
The report stated that the UK housing market saw a surge in the level of enquires, both for buyers and sellers in the first two weeks of January.
Almost two thirds (59 per cent) of those surveyed said that the number of house hunters registering with them during the first two weeks of January was higher than they would normally expect for this time of year. A quarter (26 per cent) said that levels were consistent with the average for January. Just 14 per cent said things were worse than expected.
A further source of encouragement comes from a trading statement we issued on behalf of Bovis Homes, which has reinstated its dividend after a better than anticipated profits forecast. Our media work on the NHBC’s new home registrations also confirms that the housebuilding sector is feeling more positive than at any stage than has been the case for the past two years.
While none of this evidence suggests that the residential property market is out of the woods yet, it would seem that there is an air of optimism in this chill January air than we haven’t seen for some time. It is early days though – and we will keep you posted on the evidence that comes our way!