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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| House sales fall as market suffers Olympic distraction | House sales fall as market suffers Olympic distraction |
| (25 days later) | |
| The number of potential homebuyers viewing properties dipped in August as the Olympics provided a distraction, although overall sales held firm, according to the latest report by surveyors. | The number of potential homebuyers viewing properties dipped in August as the Olympics provided a distraction, although overall sales held firm, according to the latest report by surveyors. |
| In the three months to August, chartered surveyors sold on average 7.5% of the homes on their books a month, a figure which has remained consistent throughout 2012, the latest Rics housing market survey said. | In the three months to August, chartered surveyors sold on average 7.5% of the homes on their books a month, a figure which has remained consistent throughout 2012, the latest Rics housing market survey said. |
| With the Olympic Games taking place, a net balance of 9% more surveyors reported falls in demand, compared to 4% more in July, Rics said. | With the Olympic Games taking place, a net balance of 9% more surveyors reported falls in demand, compared to 4% more in July, Rics said. |
| Spokesman Ian Perry said: "Little changed in the housing market last month. Despite the Olympics taking centre stage throughout much of August, it didn't have any real impact on the proportion of sales going through. | Spokesman Ian Perry said: "Little changed in the housing market last month. Despite the Olympics taking centre stage throughout much of August, it didn't have any real impact on the proportion of sales going through. |
| "Understandably, the amount of people out looking at property fell away slightly, but generally speaking demand held up fairly well." | "Understandably, the amount of people out looking at property fell away slightly, but generally speaking demand held up fairly well." |
| The housing market has struggled since the withdrawal of the stamp duty holiday for first-time buyers at the end of March, and confidence was hit by the weakening economy and the ongoing eurozone debt crisis. | The housing market has struggled since the withdrawal of the stamp duty holiday for first-time buyers at the end of March, and confidence was hit by the weakening economy and the ongoing eurozone debt crisis. |
| Rics said the number of new instructions in August was unchanged on the July figure, while prices continued to edge lower – albeit at a slower pace than in previous months. | Rics said the number of new instructions in August was unchanged on the July figure, while prices continued to edge lower – albeit at a slower pace than in previous months. |
| A net balance of 19% more respondents reported price falls rather than rises, down from 23% in July. | A net balance of 19% more respondents reported price falls rather than rises, down from 23% in July. |
| London was the only part of the country to report a positive reading for prices, while surveyors in Northern Ireland, the West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside reported the weakest readings. | London was the only part of the country to report a positive reading for prices, while surveyors in Northern Ireland, the West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside reported the weakest readings. |
| Looking ahead, chartered surveyors across the country predict transaction levels to pick up slightly as autumn approaches, with 12% more respondents expecting sales to rise rather than fall over the coming three months. | Looking ahead, chartered surveyors across the country predict transaction levels to pick up slightly as autumn approaches, with 12% more respondents expecting sales to rise rather than fall over the coming three months. |
| Top mortgages | Top mortgages |
| Chelsea Building Society | Chelsea Building Society |
| Yorkshire BS | Yorkshire BS |
| Yorkshire BS | |
| Provided by London & Country for the Guardian | Provided by London & Country for the Guardian |