The onset of the winter months has not dampened potential buyers’ enthusiasm for sensibly priced and attractive properties, and estate agency activity including viewing levels and valuations remains at a busy level. Although it would be fair to say that in some areas of the market confidence is fragile in these times of economic uncertainty, the majority of folk are adopting a ‘Keep Calm And Carry On’ approach to buying and selling property, and in our view are sensible to do so.

The investment property market remains very brisk, and both existing investors looking to add to their portfolios and new buyers looking to get into the buy to let market have been exceptionally active. The change in the planning requirements for houses of multiple occupation that is scheduled for later on in the year has resulted in something of a rush to buy properties that are suitable for student letting...

We have also seen an increase in first time buyer activity which is most welcome. Whilst lenders remain conservative in their approaching to providing mortgages, those first time buyers who have been sensible with regard to managing their finances have found that it is perfectly possible to get a mortgage and therefore get on the housing ladder, and that it makes much more sense to be chipping away at a mortgage every month rather than paying high (exorbitant?) rents which will only serve to pay someone else’s mortgage!