|
Despite the small monthly fall in house prices in December claimed by Halifax, an acute shortage of homes for sale in the upper reaches of the market could trigger sharp rises at the start of 2007, especially when sealed bids are invited.
That's the warning from Jonathan Haward, managing director of County Homesearch Company, a Truro-based firm which searches the market on behalf of buyers from 24 UK offices and in Ireland, France and South Africa.
County Homesearch says the number of sealed bid sales soared in 2006 - although they can be "incredibly stressful for potential buyers often unfamiliar with the process and how to handle the situation to their advantage.
Says Mr Haward: "Across the country, there is intense competition for high quality period family houses, especially Georgian. Growing competition for a static number of properties can only push prices upwards."
"If money gets the home they want, they are not worried by the idea of over-paying."
|
