Property Market News

The prime market has led the post-lockdown rebound in UK property market activity, suggests data from Rightmove and Knight Frank, with a notable spike in £1m+ deals.

It's a "far from relaxing" Summer holiday, says national buying agency Garrington, as the property market's traditional August lull is replaced with plenty of buying activity

"Anyone who can bring their transaction forward to 2020 from next year or even later is doing so," says property portal Juwai, against fears of higher Stamp Duty rates from 2021.

In the year to April's end, average house prices increased in London to £480,425 (2.3%), in England to £251,000 (2.5%), Wales to £169,000 (5.0%), Scotland to £153,000 (1.6%)

Rightmove has just recorded its busiest ever month, as the property market's post-lockdown "mini-boom" accelerates rather than slows down.

"All the activity we are currently seeing gives us every confidence about the outlook for the Prime Central London property market," says Dexters. But others are less bullish.

A 42% jump in rental supply in Central London has caused a record 8.4% fall in average rental values, reports Hamptons International.

"If I was in the property game, I would buy anywhere with a cathedral," writes Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins, as he mulls how the rise of home-working could revitalise rural and small town life.

Housing market activity continued to 'gain momentum' in July, reports the RICS, but most surveyors 'do not expect this impetus to continue' for more than a few months...

Acadata's latest house price index tells of an "emerging new geography" for prices and demand - which may or may not be here to stay.

The cumulative number of offers accepted in the UK since the start of the year is now above the five-year average, says Knight Frank.

Homes sold in the UK in the last year achieved an average of 95.8% of their initial asking price, according to some research by estate agency comparison website GetAgent.