Brexit uncertainty sparks demand and supply slump: NAEA

Housing demand and supply both fell in November, as a traditional seasonal slowdown and Brexit uncertainty impacted the market, according to the latest NAEA report.

Related topics:  Finance News
Rozi Jones
17th December 2018
House sale sign sold
"Last month it was clear that uncertainty surrounding Brexit was having an impact on the sector, and this month is no different."

Demand from prospective buyers hit the lowest number for the month of November since 2012, while the supply of available housing fell by 13% for the second consecutive month; dropping from an average of 40 in October, to 35 per branch.

This is the lowest recorded since earlier this year, when 33 properties were available to buy per branch in April.

The number of properties sold to first-time buyers remained at 23% in November for the second month running, increasing from 20% in August and 22% in September.

However this is an annual fall from the 27% market share in November 2017. The number of sales agreed per branch fell for the second month running – from nine in September, to eight in October and to seven last month.

Mark Hayward, chief executive of NAEA Propertymark, said: “Last month it was clear that uncertainty surrounding Brexit was having an impact on the sector, and this month is no different. We usually see a seasonal slowdown, but it’s unlikely that the time of year is the sole cause of today’s market conditions.

"As we near the end of the year, we’d usually expect potential buyers and sellers to put their plans on hold until early next year, but it’s likely that this year we’ll just see people holding off until there’s some clarity around what the Brexit deal might look like and what it will mean for the economy.”

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