|
The first quarter of 2009 saw the continuation decline of a house market downturn whose severity matched the meteoric growth that preceded it. However, nine months on, the mainstream housing market now stands at the same level as in September 2008. The return to growth started in March 2009 and every month since then has seen modest increases fuelled by the drop in interest rates, a lack of housing stock and cash rich buyers deciding to transact.
Prime markets also benefited from this general recovery. With best in class properties always in short supply and steady demand from buyers not reliant on raising large mortgages, competition is ever present and this has helped drive prices up.
|
We noticed a definite turnaround in the London market in the second quarter of 2009 and have this year acted for buyers with budgets ranging from £350,000 to £4m. Our clients’ sentiment is that the worst of the decline is over, 2010 will not see any significant further decline and that it is time to make decisions that were put off in 2008.
Whilst 2010 holds a certain amount of uncertainty politically and economically we do not envisage any significant decline either and think that good buying opportunities will continue to present themselves to people willing to undertake the research and negotiation required.
|