February 14, 2012 | Author

Author Alec Hanson

The January 2012 RICS Housing Market Survey has seen an increase in the number of first time buyers trying to beat the end of the Stamp Duty Holiday, which is due to expire in March.

This is demonstrated by a slight increase in house sales with the average sales per surveyor increasing by +1.8% and average stock levels falling by 5.5%. Yet in comparison to the long run average of 26 average sales, in January the average per Branch was only 15.7.

The net price balance however remains unchanged at -16, i.e. 16% more surveyors reported a price fall rather than a price rise. Although still negative it is still the best reading since July 2010.

Continuing previous figures the large percentage of surveyors, 82% infact, have see these falls only within the 0 to 2% rang – which would seem to indicate a fairly static/flat market.

Regional differences are still prevailing, although the North reported an increase in prices along within the traditional increases seen of late with London.

Northern Ireland’s balance reported that price falls were indeed the lowest since June 2010, however Scotland continue to see a deterioration in prices.

The West Midlands, Wales and Yorkshire are the worst areas of negative price balances