A Happy New Year?

As usual, the pundits have been busy giving their analyses and predictions. And, as far as the property market is concerned, there is generally a brighter view of what the next months will hold - quite a change from this time last year.

The end of 2009 certainly ended well as far as housing was concerned, with an increase in viewers, sales and homes coming to the market. So there is every reason to believe the commentators who mostly expect a busy start to the New Year, with things quietening down from April, with the General Election expected in May.

Money availability - or, rather, the lack of it - was a major contributor to the poor movement in the property market for much of 2009. But that is easing - very slowly. And there are very good deals to be had for those with a large deposit.

But the lack of properties coming on to the market was also key in 2009.

Let's fact it, if you don't HAVE to move, you can take your time and be that bit fussier in your search for the home you really want. You're going to want to look at a good number of properties before you commit - especially in an unpredictable market.

What the market needs is confidence - to persuade people to put their home on the market at a realistic price and for buyers to realise that owning a home has never been a way to get-rich-quick. It is just that - owning a home. A place of your own.

People will always need homes and the British have long had a love affair with property buying. We like to own our own homes. They make us feel content and secure - and they generally make us money if we're in it for the long term.

In the short term, let's not yearn for another large increase in house prices. This would just mean that the chance of buying that wonderful first home gets further and further away for many.

So whatever 2010 brings, let's hope it brings common senses and less greed.