The survey revealed people expect house prices to rise by just under 5 per cent, down from over 6 per cent in May. However, those in Scotland and Northern Ireland (NI) were more optimistic about future house prices, while those in London and the South East expect growth above the national average.
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In England, the majority of regions expected a slower rate of growth in months to come. propertyfinder.com said this shift was a result of the May Base Rate rise and widespread predictions that rates will reach 6 per cent by the end of 2007.
Of those questioned, 88 per cent felt a further cooling of the market would be primarily due to rate hikes, though no one expected prices to fall.
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Warren Bright, chief executive of propertyfinder.com, said: “While most of the country is in slowdown mode, a few regions continue to power ahead due to localised market influences. Scotland and NI remain optimistic due to the exceptional growth they have experienced lately. However, it is surprising – given recent growth rates – that people in Scotland and NI are not even more positive in their outlook.”
Roy New, a London-based sole broker, said: “NI has had a good boom, but it will reach a point where prices level out and possibly drop, as interest rates start to bite.”
