The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) claimed earlier this week it had returned to some parts of the capital.
However, Paul Smith, chief executive of haart estate agents, commented: “The high salary levels and huge bonuses in the City are undoubtedly having an impact on the housing market in the most prestigious areas of London. However, our agents believe that gazumping is almost negligible in the majority of areas. We have experienced only a very small number of cases in the last few months and have not seen an increase. We believe “scare reports” like these only serve to frighten homebuyers and encourage unscrupulous practices. Buyers still remain price sensitive and overpriced properties are not shifting.”
