Last month, new buyer enquiries rose to their highest level in over three years, with 25% more chartered surveyors reporting demand for property rose rather than fell. The latest jump in enquiries (from 13% more in March) strongly suggests that along with the existing Funding for Lending scheme, Help to Buy, is attracting interest even if the mortgage guarantee element of the product is not due to come into effect until next year.
As demand increased so did supply, with new instructions to sell rising in April, albeit more modestly (to a net balance of 8%). With not enough housing to meet increased demand, prices are finally beginning to improve, and the survey recorded its first positive reading for house prices since June 2010.
Newly-agreed sales improved too, with 19% more surveyors reporting sales rose rather than fell during April (from 11% more in March). Meanwhile, average sales per surveyor over the past three months were at 17.1. The past two months readings on sales are at their highest levels for three years.
David adds: “The latest Plimsoll Analysis highlights that the industry is being split into two types of company, and the gap between the rich and the poor is getting bigger and bigger. For the companies that are falling behind, they need to re-evaluate their strategy and retain profit in order to improve their financial strength.”
The Plimsoll Analysis, which is also available in an online format, provides an individual profile of each of the UK’s top 991 furniture retailers. It offers an overall financial rating and a valuation, as well as an acquisition attractiveness assessment on each company.
Jael.Liu