January 2011

At this time of year very often it seems that nothing is happening and we are just waiting for Spring! But under the surface no doubt people are wondering whether to enter the property market …to buy….to sell, or at the very least to ask their local agents for a valuation.

According to Savills latest research prime regional markets such as Bath and affluent rural areas like the Cotswolds have transaction volumes within 25% of their pre credit crunch levels. There seems to be a few more properties now venturing onto the open market and a number of “quietly marketed” testing the water prior to a full launch later in the year.  Lucian Cook, head of residential research, Savills: says “ January`s web hits are, on average, 30 per cent higher than other months of the year. “There may be some bonus money but not a glut. We think about £1bn will come out of bonuses into property,” he says. “If you have the equity, then this may be a good year to use it before 2012, when we may see house price growth.’’

So if finance is available and if you can find the right property at the right price in the right location this must be a good time to buy or at least to start looking!