THE property market has experienced a promising start to the New Year, according to County Homesearch, which has seen a greatly increased number of potential buyers registering for its services in the first two weeks of January 2009.

Reinforcing the findings of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, which reports that ‘buying interest is now at levels not seen since 2006’, County Homesearch managing director, Jonathan Haward, said UK residential housing was now seen as something of a bargain for anyone earning dollars or euros.

“As well as local interest, we have also witnessed a substantial increase in registrations from buyers across the world,” he said.

“With discounts of up to 40% on some property due to last year’s price falls and some lenders offering best-buy mortgage rates of below four per cent, UK house prices currently look like a bargain to foreign buyers.

“We have quite definitely seen an increase in buyer interest and we predict continued growth in buyer activity.

“Those buyers who have no need of a mortgage can rely on us to negotiate some very real bargains and even if house prices dip by a further five to ten per cent we can see some excellent house-price growth starting in 2010.

“In five years time today’s buyer will be sitting on a substantial profit.”

“Just as when Marks & Spencer have a 40% sale everybody is interested, potential buyers with cash in hand should be out to grab a property bargain.”