Estate agents look to the future

Housing market outlook 'more optimistic' for year ahead

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Property professionals' expectations for future sales are becoming more upbeat, although the housing market remains subdued, according to surveyors.

Looking ahead, a net balance of 25% of professionals expect the number of house sales to increase over the next year, marking the strongest reading since February, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said.

But its May survey also found that 26% of professionals reported seeing new buyer inquiries falling rather than rising, marking the fifth month in a row of decreases.

The figure is slightly less downbeat than seen in March and April, Rics said.