The price of properties coming to market in the UK will rise by 2% in 2020, according to the latest Rightmove House Price Index.

The online real estate portal suggested that a majority government will give home movers a ‘window of certainty’ for an active spring moving season.

The monthly decrease in available properties of -0.9% was the smallest figure the group had recorded at this time of year since December 2006 – which Rightmove suggested was showing ‘sellers and their agents think that demand is strong.’

While Rightmove indicated its belief that property had remained resilient before moving into 2020, a ‘lack of supply’ was still a concern – with the number of sales agreed so far in 2019 down by 3% on 2018, and the number of properties coming to market falling by 8%.

Rightmove director and housing market analyst, Miles Shipside, commented: “With much of the political uncertainty removed, we expect that the number of properties for sale will recover as more new sellers come to market, making up some of this year’s lost ground.

“However, property supply is still limited, with estate agents having the lowest proportion of properties available for sale in two years, and this will fuel modest gains in the national average asking price of property coming to market.

“The fundamentals remain sound with low interest rates, lenders competing to lend, high employment, and average wage growth outstripping house price growth and helping buyer affordability.”

Rightmove suggested that the factors to allow the housing market to return to full health in 2020 will only be in place when ‘Brexit is well in the past.’

Furthermore, the property portal said the main driver of a healthy sustainable market is ‘steadily improving affordability’ – but Rightmove added that more needs to be done to help aspiring first-time buyers (FTBs).

Shipside continued: “FTBs are the drivers of the market. Too many are struggling to save the necessary deposits, and not all of them want to buy a new-build home through Help To Buy.

“More ways of getting more people onto the ladder would help to limit rising rents, increase liquidity and transaction numbers in the housing market, and make the dreams of their own roofs above their heads a reality for many more of the younger generation.”

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