x
By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies to enhance your experience.

TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

Knight Frank predicts 38% drop in residential property sales this year

Knight Frank forecast that residential property sales will fall by 38% this year, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Based on the assumption that current movement restrictions are maintained through to the end of May, the company’s view is that sales across the UK will total around 734,000 for the full year, a 38% decline from the level seen in 2019, with slightly smaller falls seen in Greater London and in the prime central London market.

The property firm also predicts that the drop in property transactions will place downward pressure on values, with mainstream UK house prices expected to fall by 3% in 2020, although London-based properties should only fall by 2%. 

Advertisement

By contrast, Knight Frank expects prime central London properties to retain their value throughout the year.

“The government understands that moving house has enormous knock-on benefits for the wider economy,” said Tom Bill, head of London residential research at Knight Frank. “Anything it can do to kick-start the process once lockdown measures are relaxed will have ramifications far beyond the housing market.”

He added: “A material cut in stamp duty or an extended SDLT holiday should be central to these efforts.”

Knight Frank expects to see a revival in activity next year, with volumes in 2021 expected to be 18% above the level seen in 2019, although this expansion will not fully offset the drop in 2020.

Of the nearly 526,000 sales we expect to be “lost” this year, fewer than half will be carried into 2021.

Want to comment on this story? If so...if any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on any basis, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.

  • icon

    They will fall, that's not rocket science is it? 38% seems a very precise figure, I think the fall in sales will be much higher than that.

    Matthew Payne

    Yes feels a little bit high. There are the lost months, but eveything will be a lot slower when we are back up and running for a while and I think many people will let the dust settle a bit, sort out other stuff in their lives, which for a lot will be employment, and any renaissance will be in 2021.

     
  • icon

  • icon

    I think 2021 will be fine, but perhaps with a slow start

icon

Please login to comment

MovePal MovePal MovePal
sign up