The end of year saw prices remain strong with the average house up by £2200 – pleasing for homeowners but putting a property purchase further out of reach for many, especially as rents and other costs are rising, further eating in to any savings each month. The market usually gains momentum during the early spring period, making further increases look likely in coming months until inflation begins to suppress demand from buyers. Always difficult to predict, the current market is subject to so many influences from home and abroad, its impossible to be certain – we’ll be awaiting events like everyone else!

Jonathan Rolande