Stamp duty and overpricing is the major part of it but there's no denying that Brexit is having an impact. Investors/buyers don't like uncertainty so they are waiting to see what happens with the referendum which means the market is very quiet at the minute. Leaving the EU will mean more uncertainty which will continue to spook investors and buyers. A quiet market means that if you want to sell then you have to give the buyer a deal. That sets a precedent for the other properties on your street. It's no different to a busy market. If your neighbour gets a stonking price for his property then your property goes up in price.Stan I would argue that these are mostly as a result of stamp duty particularly on the Buy to Let market? Also, are these abstract figures - those being reported rather than in real terms? Are they based on actual completions or just "reported" market conditions? I just feel the market isn't being propped up by people coming into the country, it's increasing as a result of the growing indigenous population and that supply and demad won't change. Especially as the Brexit people are claiming their kids can't get on the property ladder! Doesn't that simply reinforce the fact that the demand will be there and therefore the prices won't fall.
London is currently quite ****ed and is being hit hardest, which is a good thing as it got out of control. I know of a scheme that was taken overseas for exhibition. They thought they'd sell about half of the 200 units over the course of a weekend. They sold 5! In places like Nine Elms in Vauxhall buyers are dropping their 10% deposits that they put down 2 years ago rather than completing on their purchases as they recognise that they will be in significant negative equity if they complete.
I do concede though that Brexit isn't a major influencer on property prices. Where it will have some impact is in London, the South East and burgeoning property markets like Manchester where properties got more expensive very quickly. If you bought in those areas within the last 6 months then you're probably in for a bit of pain in the short term.
