Home sales down 17% year-on-year in September

The number of home sales in September was 17% lower than the same month in 2022, according to HMRC figures. September saw an estimated 85,610 home sales - 1% lower than the total recorded in August. From April to September, there were an estimated 507,670 home sales, compared to 632,520 during the same period last year. Iain McKenzie, chief executive of the Guild of Property Professionals, said: “Although there are signs that the economy is recovering, the reality for many households is that they are still not able to afford to buy in the current climate", while Charlotte Nixon of wealth manager Quilter said that if the number of property deals continues to drop “prices will drop with them".

Daily Mail (31/10/2023)   Evening Standard (31/10/2023)   The Independent (31/10/2023)