22
Apr
New data shows March house sales jump
New figures have revealed a 40 per cent rise in the number of homes
worth over £40,000 being sold in March.
Data revealed by HM Revenue & Customs today showed that the
number of houses in this category sold last month was 60,000,
compared with 43,000 in February.
Such an increase may be an indication of a recovery in the market,
with more transactions to follow recent data showing a jump in the
level of mortgage lending.
Other evidence included Rightmove's figures from earlier this week
indicating higher asking prices everywhere in England and Wales
last month, except in London.
More people looking to buy cheaper homes - such as first-time
buyers - could be helped by a new move on stamp duty by chancellor
of the exchequer Alistair Darling.
In his Budget speech, Mr Darling announced that the raising of the
lowest threshold for the levy from £125,000 to £175,000 -
which had been due to last one year from September 2008 - will now
continue until the end of 2009.
