Surrey housing market confidence rises

Buyers looking for properties for sale in Surrey may have been given the impression in recent times that there is much doom and gloom hovering over the property industry, amid plenty of uncertainty about the prospects for the wider economy.

But a survey by Agency Express - a company that provides estate agents with their "For Sale" signs, has indicated that the situation is far removed from this in many parts of the country, not least the south-east.

It found that the actual number of listings of homes for sale rose in all 12 UK regions the company operates in. But the south did best of all, with the south-east seeing 94.6 per cent more listings in January this year than it did in 2011, an increase second only to the 98.4 per cent rise seen in the south-west.

Agency Express managing director Stephen Watson said: "Our Index figures for January reflect what our staff and estate agents are reporting... one of the best January's since 2007.

"Whilst there are underlying factors affecting the positive performances such as the unusually mild weather and the stamp duty incentives pre-March for first time buyers, I believe consumers are genuinely feeling more optimistic for the year ahead."

For those moving to Surrey, this could be a very good year, as the London Olympics will not merely be close by, but actually passing through the county.

Those who enjoy seeing cycling will be able to watch the finest riders in action as the road racing events pass along Surrey's lanes. One place where people can watch is at Box Hill, an area of chalk grassland and an official Site of Special Scientific Interest.

With both spectators and animal habitats in mind, land owner the National Trust has been at work clearing encroaching shrubs from the hill, ensuring that rather than becoming covered in woodland it retains its current landscape, following a study by the London Committee for the Olympic Games (Locog).

Natural England's executive director for delivery Jim Smyllie said it was "great news" that the Locog survey showed removing the shrubs will improve the habitat as well as helping more people see the Olympic races.