October 09

As autumn arrives there seems to be an ever increasing optimism in the property market.  National sales results from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors show a 14.1% increase in August 2009 from August 2008. One national estate agency reports a massive 74% increase when compared to last year, others reporting improving results and UK house prices have now recovered to the same level as a year ago, according to the latest figures from the Nationwide. The average price of a home last month rose by 0.9% to £161,816, almost identical to September 2008. The building society said house prices had now risen for five months in a row.

Good country houses and cottages in the Cotswolds and North Wiltshire, providing they are sensibly priced are attracting plenty of competitive interest but there is a shortage of material with buyers finding it hard to winkle out the perfect home.