Housebuyer demand, sales and prices all rise

Housebuyer demand and sales have risen for the first time in almost two years. The RICS’ measure of agreed sales moved into positive territory for the first time since February 2022, with a reading of five in January compared with minus five for December. The survey measures the difference between the percentage of UK surveyors registering rises and falls in agreed home sales. A separate RICS index tracking new buyers’ enquiries rose to seven in January from minus three in December — which was also the strongest reading since February 2022. A measure tracking new instructions rose to 11 after lying in negative territory for most of the past three years. Data from Halifax shows house prices rising for the fourth consecutive month in January, by 1.3%, to their highest level since October 2022. The rise took the average house price to £291,029, 2.5% higher than in January last year. The FT (£)and The FT (£)