News

The latest Agency Express Property Activity Index shows that sales activity in the UK rose sharply in October following three months of decreasing sales. The Index, based on the volume and activity status of 'For Sale' and 'Sold' boards across the UK, reveals that the number of properties 'Sold' in October rose 13.4% compared to September. And compared to a year ago, sales are up 37.8% on October 2008.

The uplift was led by the South East which experienced a 39.4% monthly increase in sales, the East Midlands with a 35.0% rise, London at 24.5% and Wales at 23.4%.

The guarded optimism that the housing market is back on the road to recovery was supported by five regions recording particularly significant levels of sales activity:

• London and the North West had the highest level of sales for 20 months.
• Wales and the East Midlands had the highest level of sales for 18 months.
• Scotland had the highest level of sales for 17 months.

The five cities that experienced the highest increase in properties sold in October were Southampton at 62.5%, Nottingham at 60.5%, Brighton at 44.9%, Cardiff at 35.9% and Coventry at 34.0%.

Commenting on the latest Index, Stephen Watson, Managing Director, Agency Express, said: “This month’s results provide the housing industry with a very encouraging set of figures. Every region except the North East has seen an increase in the number of properties sold in October and with London and the South East having such a good month we can expect to see the ripple effect of this uplift move into the regions over the coming months. The number of sales in October was nearly 80% higher than those achieved in January and the three month trend is also showing that sales are on the up.”

Signs that confidence is returning to the market is evidenced by the 5.6% increase in the number of properties that were put up For Sale in October, which is higher than the figure for October last year. Again, the three-month trend is also positive.

The East Midlands experienced the biggest increase in properties being put up For Sale with a 17.1% uplift followed by Wales at 14.3%, London at 13.8%, the South West at 11.9% and Yorkshire at 10.5%. Only the North West and the West Midlands saw a decrease in the number of ‘For Sale’ instructions being made.

These increases bode well for sales in the coming months as more properties are now available to buy.

For further information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Rob Davies on 01603 305822 or 07709 366310 or rob@oooc.co.uk
Carl West on 01603 305811 or carl@kiss-marketing.co.uk

Month-on-month percentage changes 2009

Agency Express was formed in 1998 specifically to provide a nationwide 'For Sale' board erection and management service for corporate and independent estate agencies via a network of franchisees. Today, Agency Express is the UK's largest 'For Sale' board company with one in four boards being erected and serviced by our franchisees.

'For Sale' boards can be seen on virtually every street in the UK and every one of these boards needs to be erected, changed to display 'Sold' and, finally, be removed at a time agreed with the agency when the sale has been completed. In short, a multi million pound business, the results of which give a very visible indication of the condition of the UK residential property market.

• The UK’s only truly nationwide estate agency ‘For Sale’ board company
• 18 out of the top 20 estate agency chains use Agency Express
• On-line management system provides estate agencies with total control over their board assets
• Full members of the British Franchise Association
• Carrying out up to 4,000 board movements every working day