Buyer optimism on the up, says Rightmove

14 May 2009

Rightmove polled over 22,800 potential buyers and sellers as part of its Consumer Confidence survey and found that a massive 71% believe it currently a good time to buy.

The number of those believing now is the time to buy represents a 5.5% jump since the beginning of the year.

Consumer sentiment over house prices has also undergone a dramatic turnaround.

Some 35% of respondents are expecting house prices to fall further over the next 12 months, but three months ago this figure stood at 69%.

Miles Shipside, commercial director at Rightmove, says: “It’s not just sentiment.

“So far this year we’ve seen email enquiries to agents soar by 109% compared to the same period last year.”

He adds that there are deals available to cash buyers and those with a hefty deposit, as well as opportunities for those to trade up.

He says: “It’s the perfect time to trade up if possible, as the gaps between the rungs of the housing ladder are closer together.

“Those looking to sell must price competitively to attract the scarcer buyers out there, and should be speaking to their local agents to price realistically for the current market.”

Have your say

Please do not complete the following form field for security reasons.

Name

E-mail

Comment

Post as

Anonymously

Display name

I have read and agree to the terms and conditions