Date Published 21 February 2024
The first weeks of January got off to a strong start with activity spurred on by falling mortgage rates and pent- up demand from the second half of 2023.
Our latest data shows this momentum has been carried into the first half of February.
At a headline level, buyer demand is running 11% higher than this time last year. Buyer numbers are up across all parts of the UK but London is firmly out in front, followed by the North East and North West regions.
London's housing market has lagged behind the rest of the UK for seven years since 2016 with low levels of house price growth due to stretched housing affordability.
The average value of a flat is just 13% higher than in 2016, compared to the UK average house price being 33% higher and up to 50% higher in Wales.
Better value for money is improving the prospects for London but it remains an expensive housing market.
A healthier market with more sales agreed.
One of the best ways to assess the overall health of the housing market is to look at the trends in the number of sales being agreed.
If buyers and sellers are agreeing more sales then that shows a healthier market, with people able to fulfil their home moving ambitions.
The fact we have almost a fifth more homes for sale than a year ago is helping, providing buyers with more choice and boosting the chances of sales being agreed.
Our latest data shows sales agreed are up across all regions and countries of the UK and more than 10% higher in six regions led by London, the South East and Yorkshire and Humber.
Key takeaways.
• Buyers and sellers are returning to the housing market in growing numbers, boosting sales across the UK
• London is leading the way in terms of buyer demand, followed by the North East and North West regions
• Meanwhile, the flow of new homes for sale is 10% higher than a year ago and the highest it's been since 2020
