An inexorable decline?

http://www.acadata.co.uk/acadataHousePrices.php

So, despite the upbeat national increase in House Price Inflation from the Nationwide and Halifax (both based on mortgage offers from within their own business streams and not representative of the market as a whole), Acadata in concert with LSL, is producing a more consistent and credible 'view' of the wider market; down 0.2% this month and down 1.6% in the year to July 2018.

The RICS would support this more realistic view of the market and as transaction volumes continue to fall, interest rates start their recovery, and the economic outlook remains volatile and pessimistic; house prices could start to topple - especially in the South East.

The Bank of England are hardly over-selling our future prospects (even without Brexit) and the Chancellor is notable only for his absence from the debate, seemingly unable to exercise any control other than macro movements and acquiescence to the BofE. Hardly a dynamic interventionist - maybe he should go back to selling used cars? Meanwhile the PM is focused on other things, and none of them involve housing.

As to the future? Well, with Countrywide plc looking at a 90% fall in their share price in the last 12 months, someone somewhere knows more than we do. Estate Agency is in the doldrums with increasing online threats, reducing fees, lower volumes, and an uncertain outlook. None of this bodes well for the average home owner.

Time to sell? No (probably).

Time to invest in Buy to Let? Well, you know what they say, if you see a bandwagon, it's too late...!

Time to sit tight? Yes......

But that means a difficult winter for House Price Inflation, Surveyors, Estate Agents, and Stamp Duty collectors (Hammond) - the latter probably self-inflicted. And of course, Brexit lies ahead....