Are you a potential buyer sitting on the proverbial fence, waiting to see which way the which way the wind’s blowing before making a house move?

If so, now could be decision time. Agents in south Bucks confirm there’s been a shift away from a sellers’ market.

The March report from the National Association of Estate Agents published last Friday stated that almost nine out of ten of homes - 86 per cent - sold in March through member branches of the NAEA fetched less than the asking price.

It was the highest percentage since 2013 when the main professional body representing estate agents in the UK started keeping a record of how far final sale prices match sellers’ original expectations.

Chief executive of the NAEA Mark Hayward says the findings were in line with a statement from Zoopla. The online housing market analyst said houses were being sold for an average of almost £25,000 less than the asking price. 

“A record number of properties sold for less than the asking price in March indicating that buyers have shifted into the power seat.

“This is music to house-hunters’ ears, especially first time buyers,” says Mr Hayward but he warns those contemplating a move that the window of opportunity to negotiate a good deal may not last long.

Earlier in his career, before he took on the top job at the NAEA, he was managing director of Aitchison Raffety, the Wycombe-based agency which emanated from the long established surveyors practice of Hamnett Raffety which is now Aitchisons.

“The fact the market is moving in the favour of buyers may trigger an upward swing in the number of sales agreed,” he says.

“Although demand has cooled off over the last few months and created these market conditions, it’s likely to increase again as those holding off making purchases move to take advantage of these lower prices.

“Ultimately this means offers accepted below asking price will fall again and the market will swing back in favour of homeowners.”

The Bucks Free Press asked local agents how far the current market conditions are a fair reflection of what’s happening in their patch in the Bucks area.Nik Keegan at the Crendon

Street office of Keegan White says it’s not a time for sellers to be over optimistic when they fix their price. He spoke for most agents when he pointed out: “It’s been a sellers’ market for the last three years.

“Recently it’s shifted back to being more evenly balanced. If your property is genuinely worth, say, £300,000, put it on the market for that.

“Owners don’t need to panic. The market isn’t depressed. If you’re prepared to wait maybe 12 weeks there’s a good chance you’ll get your asking price.

“In the past you might have put it on for £330,000. Not now. This isn’t a time for prospecting. It’s important to get the price right at the outset.”

To help ease the strain on finances for anyone buying a house or flat in the next few weeks, Halifax Intermediaries [mortgage brokers] will be handing back £1,000 to borrowers when new mortgages comes into effect.

The news came in an announcement on Monday this week. The offer is not available from Halifax branches, just brokers like David Yates, the independent mortgage consultant at the Wycombe office of JNP.

He is an intermediary for the Halifax as well as for other lenders.

He told the Free Press: “The cashback is available on a range of Halifax mortgages effectively to help cut the cost of moving.

“The cashback will be paid to the homebuyers’ conveyancer and passed onto the client when the sale completes.”

The offer lasts until June 24.