The property market recovered from a quiet July in August, with completed transactions jumping 32% over the month.
HMRC property transaction data recorded 117,100 UK residential sales on a non-adjusted basis last month – up by a third on July.
The transaction figure is nevertheless down 0.4% annually. It also reflects deals that will have been some time beforehand.
All regions registered a monthly increase in completed sales, with the biggest in Northern Ireland at 51%.
There was a 38% boost in Scotland and a 32% rise in England, while Wales saw sales rise by 9.8%.
This may suggest the recent increase in mortgage approvals is starting to filter through to the sales market.
The market is still behind on last year, though, with all regions registering annual declines in sales.
There was a 0.4% drop across the UK on an annual basis.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, sales were down 0.9% annually in August but up 15.8% compared with the month before.
Commenting on the figures, Neil Knight, business development director for Spicerhaart Part Exchange & Assisted Move, said: “This represents a significant recovery from what was an exceptionally quiet July.
“Comparing year-to-date totals, the market is still lagging somewhat behind where it was in 2018, with some 30,000 fewer transactions than by this stage last year – possibly reflecting heightened uncertainty around the nature and timing of Brexit.”
Nick Leeming, chairman of Jackson-Stops, said: “Finally, after months of waiting we’ve seen a healthy uptick in transactions in August.
“Buyers have had enough of waiting around for the ‘perfect’ time to sell and are now taking advantage of the ‘must move market’.
“However, we must take today’s optimism with caution. Transactions have still decreased by 0.9% year on year and we cannot expect to see a healthy market until the current prohibitive Stamp Duty charges are resolved.”
Comments (5)
Maybe it’s just my fuddled old dinosaur brain… but I have this weird recollection that the housing market went up and down from month to month. I’m almost certain that in times of olde, July was a pretty slow month, because people were too busy getting ready for their 2 weeks in Lanzagrotty to want to move home – but wanted to be in their new home before the school holidays ended.
Again, maybe it’s early onset alzheimers that is making me believe it’s true – but I’m pretty certain that December 25/26 is another historically slow period for moving. No doubt Brexit will get the blame for that particular crippling slowdown in our market when it arrives and departs, never to be seen for another 12 whole months.
But of course in the meantime, agenda-fuelled excuses will continue to be hawked around for every squeak and groan of the vast machine that is the property industry…
Certainly the agents I’ve been talking to over the summer have all noticed buyers with inflated budgets (due to the time spent sitting on their hands) buying with confidence.
Few hard yards now could see a very strong end to the year
A very strong UK Economy and lets ‘Get on with our lives’ attitude has been prevalent in the midst of Political turmoil. Could be a very good Autumn market?
No.
That’s the spirit James!