"MARKET IS RECOVERING SO BUY NOW!" - top estate agent

The housing and mortgage market is enjoying a period of constant revival, according to one of the west’s leading estate agents.
Stimulated by the continued involvement of first-time buyers and the buy-to-let sector, March saw a strong upturn in activity, figures issued by Besley Hill reveal.
Based on transactions at their 17 offices in the region, there was a 10% increase in residential mortgage valuations compared to 12 months ago – the fifth successive month a year-on-year rise has been recorded.
Besley Hill’s other findings include valuation instructions 15% higher than in the same period a year ago in the first three months of 2011; 6% more valuations for residential property in March compared to February; and valuations in the first quarter of the year up by 25% on the previous three months.
“The situation has improved partly because we have also seen a return of first-time buyers to the market,” said Besley Hill managing director Adam Offer. “We carried out 20% more valuations for these buyers last month than in February and 25% more in the first quarter of 2011 than in the previous quarter.
“In fact, with 35% of all valuations being for first-time buyers, it was the highest proportion of all our valuations since September 2010.”
The buy-to-let sector also played a part in the recovery with valuations undertaken by Besley Hill for investors rising by 16% in March compared to a year ago, up by 8% on the previous month, while in the first quarter of the year, there were 50% more valuations for landlords than in the same period last year.”
Adam Offer added: “There is no doubt that a recovery is upon us – whether this will be sustained throughout the year remains to be seen. But we all know that the best deals are done just before the upturn is in full swing.
“So my advice is to take advantage of low interest rates and competitive house prices while you can. It could prove to be the best time for many years to come.
"If you love the home you have just been round to view, if your job is safe and if you reckon you can afford it, ignore the gloom and doom merchants, get some sound quality mortgage advice and buy it!”