Strong re-mortgage activity dampened the beginnings of the seasonal slowdown in housing market activity in November, according to the latest research from Connells Survey and Valuation.

The total number of residential property valuations conducted in November dropped slightly by 4% when compared to October. However, total valuations were down by just 1% compared to November 2009 – despite market activity being significantly boosted at the end of 2009 by the surge of buyers looking to buy before the end of the stamp duty holiday.

An increase in the number of remortgagors in the market played a crucial role in softening the seasonal slowdown. Remortgaging activity rose by 6% compared to October – its fourth successive monthly rise. This represents a year on year increase of 92% - albeit from a low base. Remortgaging now accounts for 23% of Connells’ valuations – the highest proportion since December 2008.

Change in the Number of Valuations Conducted in
November 2010 Vs November 2009

Ross Bowen, the Managing Director of Connells Survey and Valuation: “Last November saw an increase in first time buyers looking to get a foot on the property ladder before the end of the stamp duty holiday. Despite the lack of such an incentive this year, market activity has remained reasonably robust so far. This has been driven lately by the continuing improvement in the number of people looking to remortgage, but we expect the seasonal slowdown to kick in from now on.”

Both first-time buyer activity and the number of homeowners moving property dipped slightly in November, with the number of valuations falling by 11% and 3% respectively. This represented falls of 12% and 25% compared to October 2009.

Ross Bowen continued: “Availability of competitively priced 90% LTV mortgages and tighter lending criteria remain key obstacles to re-invigorating the housing market, with the consequence that thousands of frustrated buyers are having to rent for longer. But confidence is also an issue. Some homeowners do have an eye on the direction of house prices although it is pleasing that many are seeing that it remains a great time take advantage of the increased choice of properties on the market.”

The number of valuations for buy-to-let slowed slightly in November too, falling by 5%, although November’s activity represented a 52% increase on last November.