The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) from its housing market survey has revealed healthy sales leading up to the Christmas period. After facing a difficult year, the December 2005 market returned back on its own and the sales figures rose on the same time the previous year. Consumers are beaming with confidence, as the agents across the country reported record Christmas sales.

The recent statistics are back up to the standard of those witnessed during December 2002 and 2003.  There was good news for sellers because the number of viewings per sale went down for a second month from 12 to 11 in December. For the third time, buyer applicants on the list of NAEA agents are rising in the month of January.  The NAEA asked the government to give first time buyers priority. The NAEA cautioned the Bank of England about the need to exercise caution over changes in the interest rate made in the start of 2006. 

Christopher Hall, the President of NAEA said that a property crash was averted in 2005.  He further said that the defining characteristics of the property scene of 2005 was the attitude of the sellers to market by putting their properties at reasonable selling prices as opposed to asking prices. Prices went down this year. The last three months produced large numbers of sales and more registered applicants.

In the coming one and half months, Britain was to encounter two important changes, with concern to Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). Hall quipped that the wrapping up of SIPPs could assist the first time buyer. Hall quipped that he wants to improve the house buying and selling mechanism. He further commented that a mandatory HIP isn't the answer. That said, the legislation has positive initiatives. He added that this is because prices have leveled out and he anticipates the property values to show steady increases of 2-5 %.