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House hunters and home owners wait for warmer weather when deciding to make their move on the property market.

Looking to buy or sell a house in this year? Well our exclusive analysis suggests that you might want to wait until summer for the market to really heat up.

Analysis of more than half a million sales between 2000 and 2014 show that in Greater Manchester there were 50 per cent more sales in August than January.

Throughout this period there were a total of 60,002 purchases of flats and houses in Greater Manchester completed in August.

July came out as the second most popular month as 59,610 houses were sold during this period, while June wasn’t too far behind with 58,154 sales.

But as the temperature begins to cool so does the interest of prospective buyers, as winter was found to be the least popular time for house sales. January and February were left in the dark with figures of only 40,248 and 43,199, respectively.

As the longer days and brighter evenings set in in March so too do the sales with 52,082 last year. And despite April falling slightly to 50,716, the pace picks up again in time for the summer.

Property expert Henry Pryor says that weather can be a big factor in the housing market and can affect how those looking to sell and those buying approach it.

He said: “We are of course much more conscious of the weather. Homes look better with daffodils and roses out, they aren’t at their best in the snow and just getting to some homes is so frustrating as to make most agents advise against it.

According to Mr Pryor seasons are becomin gless of a factor, with people looking throughout the year and instead of waiting, people should take the initiative.

“The internet, the changing weather patterns and peoples needs all mean that the housing market is less seasonal but the best advice to sellers is to go when your home is looking it’s best and to buyers to follow the anglers analogy – go when the fish are biting!”

Despite this however, these figures reflect a national trend, with the summer months being the most popular for people to up sticks. August saw a massive 1.4m sales between 2000 and 2014 compared to 905,000 in January.

Source: Manchester Evening News

The average property value in England and Wales increased by 2.5% in January, the biggest growth for 14 years.

Summary:

• January saw the strongest monthly price growth in the property market since 2002
• Prices in England and Wales increased by 7.1% in 2015, adding almost £5,000 in value to each property
• The number of properties sold for over £1 million outside of London has increased by 14%

Property prices in England and Wales increased by 2.5% in January, the biggest monthly percentage recorded since June 2002.

The 2.5% increase has seen the average property value grow by £4,732, compared with December, pushing the average house price across England and Wales to £191,812, the latest Land Registry index shows. Prices are now 7.1% higher than a year ago.

Stephen Smith, Director at Legal & General Housing Partnerships, said: “Unsurprisingly, these figures highlight a significant annual house price increase across the UK. Whilst price inflation may vary, one factor that is common across the UK is the need for improved housing supply. The market is weighted heavily towards the demand side.”

The house price index also shows that the number of property transactions has decreased over the last year. From August 2014 to November 2014 there was an average of 81,656 sales per month. In the same months a year later the figure was 78,652.

A continued shortage of housing stock could be a factor in the decreased levels of property transactions, with 15 buyers chasing every property on the market.

The number of properties sold in England and Wales for over £1 million in November 2015 increased by 14% to 1,091 from 953 in November 2014. The number of properties sold in London for over £1 million in November 2015 increased by 9% to 657 from 601 in November 2014.

Source: Select Property

A quarter of all property in the UK is experiencing price growth that is outpacing the average salary.

Summary:

• 1 in 4 properties within the UK are increasing in value so rapidly it is ‘earning’ more than their owner
• According to Halifax, the average cost of property in the UK is now £212,430, a year-on-year increase of 9.7%
• The average property price in the UK is eight times the average income but this is expected to increase

A quarter of properties in the UK have ‘earned’ more than their owners since 2014.

The housing market continues to have a shortage of stock that can’t keep up with demand, with the number of properties for sale falling to a new record low last November, according to RICS. There are now 15 buyers for each property on the market.

This mismatch has led to house prices increasing substantially in some areas of the country. According to Halifax, the average cost of a house or flat in the UK has gone up 9.7% over the past year to £212,430. The average UK salary is £26,500.

A recent report from Santander suggests that incomes will not keep pace with the rise in property prices. Property values are projected to rise by 5% this year with wages set to increase by only 2.8%, and this trend is expected to continue until at least 2018.

Miguel Sard, Managing Director of mortgages, Santander UK said: “Property price inflation will tip many existing home owners into the million-pound price bracket. The current property market is buoyant and the deals available to new and existing owners are extremely competitive, so those wishing to buy or move should do so.”

At present in the UK, the average property price is around eight times the average income, but by 2030 this is expected to hit a multiple of 9.7

Source: Select Property

Supply continues to fall behind demand, with a 0.5% drop in stock leaving 15 buyers after every property for sale.

Summary:

• Supply of new property in the UK has declined by 0.5% since December last year
• There are now 15 buyers chasing every property on the market, an increase from 12 at the end of 2015
• The average cost of a first-time buyer property has reached £175,000, a record high

Demand for UK property continues to outstrip supply in 2016.

The number of new buyers has risen by 35% in the last year and increased 4.9% on the month, with first-time buyer house prices hitting a record high.

The supply of new homes has declined 0.5% since December 2015, with the growing disparity between supply and demand meaning there is more than 15 buyers chasing every property on the market, up from 12 in December.

Viewings have increased 7.4% month-on-month as the end of the seasonal dip welcomes vigour back to the property market. However, over the same time period sales have shrunk by 14.7%, reportedly due to a lack of specialists such as surveyors and lawyers to cope effectively with the renewed levels of activity.

Paul Smith, CEO of independent estate agents, haart, said: “The property market in the new year has got off to a flying start with a surge in buyer registrations and new property instructions. The number of new homes coming on the market is up by a healthy 8% compared to a year ago but demand has surged by 35% over the same time period.”

The number of first-time buyers entering the market surged 26.1% annually in January and rose 4.8% on the month. First-time buyer house prices rose 6.8% annually and 2.3% on the month to reach £174,804, a record high.

With demand looking to continue, yields within the private rented sector (PRS) are expected to increase year-on-year. By 2025, there will be 7.2 million households within the PRS, an addition 1.8 million to the current figure – leaving more people renting privately than owning with a mortgage.

Source: Select Property

Enrolment figures at some universities have almost doubled in the last four years. Does this further underline the importance of investing in quality PBSA?

Summary:

• Student numbers at some UK universities have almost doubled since the lifting of enrolment caps which began in 2012
• Three out of the five biggest uplifts in British and EU students were reported at Russell Group institutions
• With few signs of a UK education losing any of its global appeal, does this further the need for investment in higher quality student accommodation?

More students from across the UK and the EU want a British education – and they need a place to live.

New figures published by Times Higher Education show that institutions across the UK have reported significant rises in the number of course entrants each year thanks to the uncapping of enrolment numbers which first began in 2012. The report also suggests a clear demand for the highest standards of teaching, with three out of the five biggest increases in student intake coming at Russell Group universities.

Aston University, a high-ranking institution that boasts a higher level of employability for its graduates than the University of Oxford, has almost doubled its number of UK and EU student numbers in just four years. It was followed closely by revered Russell Group institutions University College London and the University of Bristol, with 57.2% and 52.1% rises respectively.

2012 marked the start of the relaxation of student number caps, with universities able to accept unlimited applicants possessing the highest grades. All limits were completely scrapped last year, and these figures clearly highlight a surge in student numbers.

There’s been a clear shift towards high-quality purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) among Britain’s students in recent years. More are willing to pay a premium for accommodation that enhances the overall university experience, with the relatively low levels of supply in many university cities carrying rental premiums.

UK student property is the country’s strongest asset class and, as the country’s student population continues to expand, more PBSA investment will be needed to keep up with demand from a student body looking for quality accommodation.

Source: Select Property