After a fairly flat year for house prices amid a cost of living crisis, Ascot estate agents remain hopeful for 2024. 

The News has reached out to a number of estate agents in the town to gather their predictions for the property market in 2024.

Listing agent at Duncan Yeardley Robert Mann said he believed 2024 will bring “good news” as interest rates are dropping.

He also said regarding Ascot as a desirable place to live, the housing market is a lot more resilient to changes.

“People want to be in Ascot,” he said. “I have two kids and live in Bracknell, but I would rather be over here.”

Mr Mann said that those who buy properties in Ascot also tend to stay here due to it being such an affluent area.

“In 2023 people have been a lot more tentative and not quite as quick to come to the market. At the moment there is some good activity, but things typically slow in November and December.

“This year has been marginally slower than usual, and fairly tumultuous for interest rates. People have been more indecisive if they should sell or not.”

However, the housing market for 2024 is heating up as Mr Mann explained that the busiest day on Rightmove is actually Boxing Day, and many people relaunch selling their houses in the new year.

“In terms of the average price of houses at the moment, there are two markers. First-time movers to Ascot are looking at £450,000 to high £600,000.

“Those who are moving within Ascot are usually looking at £700,000 to around 1.2 million.”

In agreement with Mr Mann, Hugh Williams from Carr Williams Estate Agents also said that interest rates are coming down.

“I think the market is going to be okay,” he said. “Things will improve in 2024. We can foresee next year being a lot better as interest rates may come down so people may start buying.”

He continued: “There’s a reasonable outlook out there.”

Paul Price from Hat and Home said that because Ascot is such an affluent area, he isn’t worried about 2024 as there is a healthy number of buyers who want to buy here.

“People are cautious at the moment to sell,” he said. “But confidence will return and so will activity levels.”

Mr Price agreed that the average house price for three-bed properties is around £600,000, which he thinks will stay pretty level going into 2024.

“For four and five beds the demand is a lot higher. For next year we think it could average £850,000, but it could easily be more like £900,000 or £950,000.”