THE ongoing uncertainty about the form that Brexit may – or may not – take, could if we wanted it to, cast a shadow on the outlook for the economy but its important we don’t allow ourselves to fall into gloom mode because there are still many aspects of the economy to be happy about.

The labour market is in strong shape – with employment at the highest levels since 1971 and wages are growing at their fastest pace in a decade.

Interest rates are low, inflation is modest and finance is available.

Looking back over 2018 let us also remember the average seller sold their home for £88,470 more than they paid for it having owned it for an average of nine years.

This is only slightly down on the £90,580 which the average seller in England and Wales made in 2017 with Londoners still making the biggest gain at £237,190 – over two and a half times more than the average profit in England and Wales.

Except for London and the South East, every region across England and Wales saw a rise in the proportion of sellers making a profit on their home.

In 2018, 91 per cent of sellers across the country sold their home for more than they bought it for, up from 90 per cent in 2017.

2019 is also a significant year for Hamptons International as we celebrate our 150th birthday.

Having been at the heart of the property market since 1869 with over 90 offices in London and the South of the UK employing over 1,000 members of staff, we are totally committed to helping people find their perfect home.

To commemorate this impressive milestone, we have a planned series of events and campaigns which will take place throughout the year and will ensure 2019 is our biggest year of fundraising yet, in support of the business’s ongoing commitment to our charity partner Cancer Research UK (CRUK).

At Hamptons International we also understand that the process of moving is complicated - for both sides - and we like to build long term relationships.

Being married with four daughters and two rescue labradors I know first-hand that finding the right house can take time.

Although there hasn’t been a single year without challenges and triumphs in my 33 years as an agent in the Cotswolds I’m convinced 2019 will be no different.

Life evolves and needs change, so people will always need to move house and let's face it, that old cliché still rings true: there is no place like home.

Ian Street MRICS

Associate Director

Hamptons International