10
Mar
Buyer interest 'grows again'
Interest in buying a home in the UK has shown new signs of
increasing, fresh research has indicated.
The latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
(RICS) showed that in February, the level of interest in buying was
up for the fourth successive month, as 20 per cent more surveyors
reported an increase in enquiries than recorded a decrease.
This majority rose from 15 per cent in January and the pattern was
particularly notable in London, where 44 per cent more surveyors
saw interest rising.
RICS commented that the trend was the result of lower house prices
and interest rate cuts, although it noted that the number of sales
per agent was down again from 9.8 in January to 9.5 each.
Such contrasting figures may suggest a large amount of pent-up
demand, which could lead to a major recovery in time.
Last week Halifax figures for February indicated a further increase
in affordability, with prices dropping by 2.3 per cent during the
month.
