The property market is not in fact immune to the higher interest rates, according to RICS latest survey. December?s figures showed the largest monthly price drop since September 2004 with the number of new buyer enquiries also falling. Nevertheless RICS? survey still showed a solid pace of growth and it seems there is a chance that the figures could bounce back in January. ?It is obviously possible that buyer enquiries will rebound next month,? commented property economist Kelvin Davidson, ?although January?s surprise rate rise may well prevent that. Even so, there is little sign of an imminent collapse.? Property experts believe the RICS figures show the first meaningful evidence of the negative impact of higher interest rates. ?We believe that these negative effects will become gradually clearer in the data as the year progresses, with market activity levels and price pressures likely to weaken substantially over 2007,? said Mr Davidson.
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'My family wore wool at a time when everyone else had cast it off in favour of manmade fabrics': The knitwear pioneer who is one of David Beckham's countryside championsJulie Harding speaks to Rachel Carvell-Spedding the founder of British knitwear brand Navygrey, and one of David Beckham's countryside champions.
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What is everyone talking about this week: Why we love period dramaObservers cite a need for escapism, but Will Hosie thinks there's more to our enduring love of a period drama.
