The Market

The days of Cornish property selling unseen, over the asking price, overnight, are a long and distant memory, says Josephine Ashby of John Bray Estates.

The sales data still shows a relatively subdued picture, but central London agents are reporting busy conditions across the prime postcodes.

'The Bank of England’s decision to hold Bank base rate at 5.25% is likely to bring more confidence to the UK housing market,' says Savills.

'The overall picture in the last year was rather beige but there have been some pops of colour,' says PCL buying agency Black Brick.

The number of estate agents operating across the UK has increased by 1.9% in the last year, despite a decline in transaction numbers.

Sentiment in the property market is becoming 'a little less negative', says the RICS.

A record number of new sellers came to market on Boxing Day last year, says Rightmove - 46% higher than 2021 and 173% above pre-pandemic 2019.

The market is returning to more typical levels, reports the estate agency.

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'The meteoric rental value growth seen in recent years has calmed down,' says Knight Frank.

16% more sales were agreed in Prime London last week compared to the previous seven days, but 15% fewer than the corresponding week last year...