Home buyers and sellers jittery ahead of general election

Study finds

The number of house-hunters registered per estate agent branch fell in April.

In March there were 397 per branch, down from 425 in January and February, but this figure dropped four per cent to 381 in April.

This is most likely down to uncertainty triggered by the snap General Election starting to take effect, as buyers put their plans on hold until the result is clear.

Last April amid Brexit uncertainty, the number of house-hunters searching for properties was 17 per cent lower at just 325 per member branch.

 Mark Hayward, CEO, NAEA Propertymark said: “Periods of political uncertainty tend to halt activity in the housing market, and this is exactly what we’re seeing this month. All of the main political parties have outlined significant housing promises in their manifestos and we’d hope to see these policies rolled out in the new Government’s first six to 12 months in Parliament.

“Buyers and sellers alike are recognising this and adopting a ‘wait and see’ strategy to decipher how or if the value of their existing or future homes will be affected.”