Strong demand continues to drive sales activity

Demand for new properties and the flow of new homes being listed for sale across the UK’s housing market remained strong over the month, according to the October 2020, RICS Residential Market Survey.

As current guidelines permit the market to stay open during the second lockdown, respondents expect the latest upturn in sales to continue for the rest of the year. However, moving into next year, the outlook for sales remains subdued, as respondents cite the withdrawal of government support measures and a difficult economic backdrop as a concern further ahead.

During October, the number of people looking to buy a new property increased at the headline level for the fifth consecutive month, with a net balance of +46% of respondents citing an increase in new buyer enquiries. In keeping with the rise in demand, the number of new properties being listed for sale also increased for the fifth successive report. A net balance of +32% of respondents reported a rise in new instructions and is the longest run of growth seen in the RICS Residential Market Survey since 2013.

The number of properties sitting on estate agents’ books remains relatively low in the historical context, but October saw average stock levels move up from 42 to 43 per branch. As more properties are listed for sale and the pent-up demand continues, the number of agreed sales continue to rise. In October, +41% of contributors saw a rise in transaction volumes which remains well above the average reading of +9% over the past year.

As we look ahead, respondents remain positive about activity for the coming three months, with +17% more contributors expecting sales to rise. However, the outlook for the year ahead is more downbeat, as -27% of respondents anticipate sales to weaken over the longer timeframe.

The impact of the recent increased sales activity continues to see house prices rise. That said, feedback to the latest survey suggests this rate of house price inflation could begin to moderate shortly, with three-month price growth expectations moderating from a net balance of +22% in September to +13% in October. Meanwhile, the twelve-month outlook points to a flatter trend to emerge at the national level.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist commented:

“The housing market remains very busy and despite the second national lockdown, the sense is that this will persist over the coming months and into the new year. However, there is understandably more caution about activity looking beyond the first quarter of 2021. Aside from the withdrawal of governments incentives, the market may also find the more challenging employment picture a significant obstacle even with interest rates set to remain close to zero for some time to come.

“That said, medium term expectations for house prices and private rents have barely been dented by COVID according to the latest survey. Indeed, the projections still point to increases likely to exceed wage growth highlighting the ongoing issue around affordability.”

The UK rental market continues to see a growth in tenant demand as the volume of landlord instructions declined at the national level.* While expectations for rental growth over the near term remain positive for most parts of the country, London is the clear exception as a net balance of -55% of respondents foresee rents declining over the coming three months.