Pictured: Clive James, Brian Holt director and manager of
the estate agency's Earlsdon office, says December's figures show a
rise in people house hunting
A rise in property viewings, valuations and mailing list
requests in the run up to Christmas suggests people are keen to
move house - if the price is right.
Latest figures issued by Coventry and Warwickshire estate agency
Brian Holt show viewings went up 31% in Earlsdon and 25% in
Leamington compared with December 2010.
And requests to be added to the property mailing list rose by
24% in Earlsdon and 15% in Coventry city centre.
Meanwhile, in Kenilworth valuations rose by 11% and sales were
up by two thirds compared with the same month last year.
Activity has been brisk since the new year too.
The latest statistics follow reports by the Halifax and
Nationwide building societies that prices are expected to remain
pretty much the same throughout 2012. They say economic pressures
and worries about the UK economy and the Eurozone are countered by
lack of property availability, which is keeping prices on an even
keel.
Brian Holt director and manager of the agency's Earlsdon office,
Clive James, explained: "Our latest figures show a latent desire to
move house. People are deciding they don't want to stay put any
longer and are keen to get on with the business of moving. They're
no longer afraid that prices will fall but are market savvy and
aware that paying a sensible price for a property is vital. Gone
are the days when moving meant you could make a quick profit in
couple of years - movers now are looking for homes they want to
live in for the foreseeable future, and still feel confident they
will recoup their investment when they do come to sell."
A report issued this week by the Halifax said prices had
remained surprisingly resilient in the face of the economic
situation and anticipated broad stability in house prices the
coming year if the UK avoids recession.