Martin Ellis Expected Quotations

Further above inflation rises in fuel and council tax bills are expected to drive up further the costs of owning and running a home this year. Council tax and utility bills will overtake mortgage payments as the largest cost for homeowners this year.

The weakening labor market, the continuing high level of house prices in relation to earnings and pressure on householders' finances from the recent hikes in utility and council tax bills are expected to curb demand in the coming months, therefore preventing a sustained acceleration in house price inflation.

The UK housing market is set for a period of broad stability... low single digit growth is expected to be the norm across most of the country.

The easing in economic growth over the past year, together with a ratio of house price to average earnings that remains historically high, is expected to curb housing demand, and therefore prevent a renewed surge in house prices.