Glimmer of hope in housing market

THE NUMBER of homes going on the market rose slightly last month, according to a report.

However, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) Scotland said a meaningful recovery seemed “some way off”.

The number of buyers inquiring about property dipped slightly last month, according to the Rics November 2011 UK Housing Market Survey.

Chartered surveyors are nevertheless confident that sales will pick up in the next three months. Of those who responded to the survey, 8 per cent said prices had gone up in November. None said this in October.

Meanwhile, 42 per cent said prices had dropped, compared with 53 per cent in October.

Graeme Hartley, Rics Scotland director, said: “It is encouraging that sellers remain hopeful, with more new instructions in November … and surveyors expecting sales to pick up over the next few months.

“But a meaningful recovery still seems some way off.”