WHILST Spring has stuttered into existence in April with snow at the end of the month, the property market in Gloucestershire had an early start with many second home buyers rushing to complete before the increase in Stamp Duty deadline. With second homers accounting for around 30 per cent of the demand in Gloucestershire, it is an important part of the market and one that will not dissipate even with the advent of the higher tier rate.

The market for owner occupiers has had a more steady start on the other hand although there is some caution surrounding the referendum in June.

The housing market does not like uncertainty and the advent of the referendum is not dissimilar to a general election where home owners want to know what lies ahead before committing to an important decision around what is for most people their most valuable asset.

Having said that however, good property of all types does still attract strong interest if it is priced correctly.

Over ambitious pricing has its temptation for sellers but it is a short lived ideal before the lack of interest brings the price to a more realistic level.

A different strategy that has worked particularly well recently is to being the property to the market at an attractive level and competing buyers can then get the property often in excess of the guide price.

There is no telling what an exit from the EU will do to the housing market as it is unchartered territory but over the years bricks and mortar has survived and often out performed other market disruptions and there is nothing to suggest that a Brexit will have a damaging long term effect on what is otherwise a good steady housing market in Gloucestershire.