The number of people looking to buy a new property increased for the fifth consecutive month, according to a monthly survey by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

More than two fifths of respondents reported a rise in transaction volumes, compared to an average reading of 9% over the past year.

Surveyors appear positive about the coming three months, with more expecting sales to rise.

However, next year, the outlook for sales is more subdued, with the withdrawal of government support measures and a difficult economic backdrop as a concern.

Despite the current increase in house prices, inflation is expected to temper shortly, with three-month price growth expectations moderating from a net balance of +22% in September down to +13% in October. And the twelve-month outlook points to a flatter trend to emerge at a national level.

Affordability challenges will persist

RICS chief economist Simon Rubinsohn, said: “The housing market remains very busy and despite the second national lockdown, the sense is this will persist over the coming months and into the new year.

“However, there is understandably more caution about activity looking beyond the first quarter of 2021. Aside from the withdrawal of government incentives, the market may also find the more challenging employment picture a significant obstacle even with interest rates set to remain close to zero for some time to come.

“That said, medium term expectations for house prices and private rents have barely been dented by Covid according to the latest survey.

“Indeed, the projections still point to increases likely to exceed wage growth highlighting the ongoing issue around affordability,” he added.

Over-priced properties not selling

Sarah Coles, personal finance analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, noted that buoyant house prices were encouraging overpricing, meaning some properties were not selling with buyers left to fight over the more realistically priced homes.

“Anyone who was planning to get in ahead of the stamp duty holiday could have shot themselves in the foot by over-optimistically pricing their property and putting buyers off,” she said.

“Meanwhile, one agent noted an ‘unhealthy sense of panic’ among buyers, desperate to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday. This is encouraging them to rush into making an offer without thinking it through, so when the sale drags on, these buyers are already poised to pull out.”

She added that lockdown could slow things up even further, with estate agents worrying that more council employees working from home could stymie searches.

“There’s a palpable sense of frustration among agents towards others involved in the process,” she continued.

“Some blame a lack of surveyors, some point the finger at lenders, and one in particular said ‘the conveyancing profession should take a hard look at themselves’.

“At some point over the next few months, we’ll see buyers realise they’re not going to get the deal done before the end of the stamp duty holiday.

“The question is whether sales will then slow to a more typical rate and price rises pause, or whether the market will be so dysfunctional by then that we see an altogether more dramatic reaction.”