6
Apr
Buyer enquiries to keep rising, says economist
The recent trend for the number of buyer enquiries to rise is set
to continue, an expert has said.
Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist at the Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors, suggested the effect of rising unemployment
may have some effect in holding back the trend, but added: "It may
well be offset by the fact that interest rates are now so
low."
Prices could also be a crucial factor, he noted, remarking: "There
are some decent deals to be had and that will probably be the fact
that underpins the market."
However, he cautioned, it is currently "premature" to be talking
about prices rising.
Last week saw two house price polls giving different messages about
the state of the market.
Nationwide's figures for March showed a 0.9 per cent rise, whereas
Halifax indicated a 1.9 per cent drop.
However, the fall recorded by Halifax compared favourably with the
2.3 per cent dip in February.
