How is the housing market looking now?

[xxxxBAMBOOxxxx]

We want to sell but are holding off till prices start to pick up. Had a quick look at Right Move and prices seem to have improved since I last looked, which was about 6 months ago.

What's the general consensus on the state of the property market?

[xxxxBAMBOOxxxx]

bumping

[SausageRocket]

it is picking up where I am, houses are selling quicker and prices seem to be on the up (slowly). I'm in s. worcs

[Umlellala]

Picking up because there are not so many properties on the market right now. In 6 months, they reckon prices will drop/stabilise as more properties come on to the market...

[xxxxBAMBOOxxxx]

So I guess the best thing to do is try and sell now.

Thanks

[Umlellala]

I believe so - but don't hold me to it! Good properties selling VERY quickly round here at moment.

If you are buying somewhere else, you'll get the benefit anyway so doesn't matter so much if you miss the highest prices iykwim.

[HerHonesty]

depends. good houses flying round here, but there are lots of houses which have been on for months and are beginning to look decidedly stale.

[rebl]

Picking up. Around here houses are now selling, especially in the lower end of the market. We sold in 3 months and didn't have to drop much on our asking price.

[DebiTheScot]

It's picking up again. Our mortgage advisor told us they are back up to 2007 prices again (don't know if that was just here or on average everywhere).

There is a thought that they will drop again a bit then pick up more. This is because at the moment there's not enough houses on the market for the number of buyers (guess because mortgages are being given again). Once confidence increases people will put their houses on the market again so competition will be less so prices might drop a bit.
(I read that on mn somewhere but think it came from a reliable source)

[DebiTheScot]

(and if you live near me and have 3 bedrooms, please put your house on the market for me to buy )

[MrsJohnDeere]

Asking prices falling here (North Herts) and nothing is selling.

The same houses have been on the market for months and months.

[Mousey84]

I saw in the telegraph earlier that house prices are rising faster than any time in the last 5 or 6 years. will go find a link

link here

If you need to sell, get it on the market now as things tend to slow before xmas.

[bruffin]

My mum put her house in south london on the market at beginning of summer and had 2 offers within the first weekend one for the asking price.

[susie100]

Prices are soaring in my area (SW London)
Houses going to sealed bids for record setting levels (above 2007)

We are having asking price offers rejected as everything is going to sealed bids.

We sold our flat in April and are now worried we will priced out of the area we want to live in.
Really hoping this is a blip because of low supply!

[Fimbo]

It's the high end that is stuck here, the lower end are flying out the door.

[Scottie22]

I'm a bit bearish when it comes to the housing market as I think there is a lot of spin about it at the moment but obviously people will start to think about putting their houses on the market if they think the time is right. If you want to know where the market is heading you could read www.housepricecrash.co.uk which pulls together all the surveys and anecdotal evidence from around the country.

[nouveaupauvre]

are you selling a flat or a house? answer might vary depending on what you're selling.
we sold at asking price in six weeks (family house, london) although below 2007 prices not much. have gone from panicking we would never find a buyer, to now panicking we will be priced out of our next house.....yes like everyone else our agents say it is all about supply. newbuild flats still low but family houses are in such short supply they're selling if they're half decent because there is so little choice.
if you're minded to sell, i'd do it now. i think there may well be a second slump if the market floods/unemployment hits. and still v difficult to get a mortgage (that will affect people less at family house end of the market as they might have a fair bit of equity and long credit histories but will hurt first time buyers of flats still)

[toja555]

Going up. In my area (South London) there are very few properties coming on the market and those are selling close to asking price. I just bought one!

[susie100]

Think is scottie22, national house prices may be falling or stable but all that matters is what is happening in the local area you want to buy in!