NAEA reports market steady in December

The NAEA is encouraged by that the number of first time buyers rose to 10.8 per cent, while the average number of people looking to buy and sell properties increased – suggesting that people are making a tentative return to the market.

The survey also showed an incremental rise in house prices – this should be regarded as a statistical outlier – hopefully indicative that in particular areas the fall in prices is slowing, but not to be taken as a sign that nationally, prices have bottomed out.

KEY FINDINGS

• Number of sales agreed per agent held steady at six in December, despite it being a traditionally quiet month

• The number of first time buyers (FTBs) increased slightly, to make up an average of 10.8 per cent of buyers,

• Average number of properties available for sale rose from an average of 87 in November to 100 in December

• Number of house hunters registered with estate agents rose from 186 in November to 200 in December

• Survey of members showed a slight rise in house prices of all type between November and December