Sales remain steady in Leamington despite the recession

“We’re busy – recession or no recession,” said Leamington manager Jane Canning.

The news follows conflicting announcements last week by property market analysts Hometrack and the Halifax Building Society.

Hometrack says prices rose the second month in a row UK wide - by 0.1 per cent in April – fuelled by rising demand for properties.

It says, unsurprisingly, that London and the Home Counties are seeing the greatest growth.

Meanwhile, the Halifax says prices dropped by 2.4 per cent last month, having risen by 2.2 per cent in March, meaning the last quarter’s underlying trend shows an increase of 0.3 per cent.

“The same message we have been issuing for some time applies,” explained Jane. “That is, if you price your house sensibly it will sell. Mortgage rates remain historically low which means for those who can get one buying represents very good value compared with long term renting.

“The end of the stamp duty holiday in March saw a peak in activity as first time buyers raced to beat the deadline, but as most of the properties in this area are above that threshold anyway, the impact hasn’t been as great here as it will have been in other areas of the country, where average prices are lower.”

A Halifax poll showed 40 per cent of customers feel prices will rise in the coming year, with half that number fearing they will fall.

Pictured: Brian Holt’s Leamington manager Jane Canning