Property Market News

"The current pace of the market has put buyers with a home to sell at the back of the queue," says Hamptons' research chief.

"The spring market is brisk and competitive," says buying agency Garrington in its latest summary of the UK's property market.

“The recovery of the rental market has led to a shift in tenant profiles,” says LCP boss Andrew Weir, “as older tenants return to the office and outcompete young professionals and students.“

Prime regional house prices have finally topped their 2007 (pre-Global Financial Crisis) peak, says Knight Frank, and "there remains headroom for future growth".

128 London homes changes hands for more than £5mn in the opening three months of the year; 25% more than in Q1 2021, and 24% more than in Q1 2020.

"It is encouraging to see far calmer and more consistent conditions prevailing," says Landmark Information boss.

"It is encouraging that a little more stock appears to be returning to the market," says the RICS' chief economist.

Average asking rents have risen by over 20% in Central London over the last year, and by 11% outside of the capital.

Prime London vendors are accepting an average of 3.6% less than their asking price, according to research by Benham and Reeves - but discounts are getting less chunky as the market bounces back.

London property prices jumped by 2.2% in February, as the national annual rate of house price inflation climbed to +10.9%.

"Developers will need to absorb new costs, and tighten margins in order to secure sites in what we expect to continue to be a competitive market," says Savills' head of regional development.

House price inflation is likely to "unwind" back to single figures across the UK, predicts Knight Frank, although Prime Central London is set for higher price growth as global travel resumes.