Region’s house price growth at highest level in almost two years

Housing market activity in the West Midlands continued to rise in August, as those looking to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday continued their search for a new home.

A net balance of 63% of respondents reported an increase in buyer interest across the region over the month, according to the August 2020 RICS UK Residential Survey.

However, the longer-term view remains more cautious.

As buyer enquiries continued to rise, the number of new properties listed for sale also increased, with a net balance of +26% of survey participants noting an increase in vendors listing property to sell.

Strong growth in agreed sales was cited for a third successive month, with a net balance of +52% of contributors seeing a pick-up.

Looking ahead, near term sales expectations for the West Midlands remain positive, but 12 month sales projections are still in negative territory, with the net balance coming in at -12% (up from -40% last time). Anecdotal evidence suggests concerns over the broader economic climate continue to drive this subdued assessment.

Meanwhile, the pandemic is expected to cause a lasting shift in the desirability of certain property characteristics, as 83% of respondents, nationally, anticipate demand increasing for homes with gardens over the next two years. 79% predict rising demand for those properties near green space, while a net balance of +68% foresee a rise in the desirability of properties with more private / less communal outside space.

Turning to house prices, the August survey feedback points to a sharp acceleration in house price inflation. Across the region, a net balance of +52% of respondents reported an increase in prices, the strongest reading since September 2018. This is up from a net balance of +49% in July and marks a turnaround compared to the reading of -27% registered back in May.

In the lettings market, tenant demand continued to rise sharply in the West Midlands, while landlord instructions returned to negative territory following a rebound in July. Rental growth expectations over the near term have now strengthened in each of the past three months, with a net balance of +58% of contributors now anticipating an increase.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist, said: ‘The latest RICS survey provides firm evidence of a strong uplift in activity in the housing market which should help support the wider economy gain traction over the coming months. More of a concern is the pick-up in prices which could intensify issues around affordability in some parts of the country. Disaggregated data shows demand generally to run ahead of supply.

“Meanwhile the results provide a further pointer to more substantive changes taking place in household behaviour in the wake of the pandemic. Increased demand for properties with garden and near green spaces has if anything increased since we tested the water in May.’

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