Seven property experts give their views as to what will happen with the property market in 2017
There is much speculation flying about as to what 2017 has in store for the housing market. Zoopla asked Melanie for her opinion on the market as an independent commentator:
Melanie Bien, property expert and commentator
House prices: up 2%
Rents: up 2%
“The housing market is likely to be largely flat. All the indicators suggest that Brexit negotiations will drag on which will have an impact on people’s confidence. The shortage of properties for sale will support prices to an extent but we are a long way off the double-digit house price growth seen in the past.
“With people on the whole choosing not to move, rental property is likely to continue to be in strong demand. With changes to mortgage interest tax relief coming in from April, putting a squeeze on landlords’ profits, and letting agents forced at some point to stop charging tenants fees, it looks as though the only way for rents is upwards.”