Hectic market activity in residential sales as investors try to secure deals before the new Stamp duty regulations come into force in April 2016. Four of our sales this week are going to Informal Tender to close Sales in the most professional way which is the way we prefer to operate. There are a more 1st time buyers looking in comparison to the last quarter of 2015. Investors in a few more weeks are going to find it hard to complete transactions by April due to the timescale the average leaseholders property takes to complete (watch this space). Most sales agreed are going close to asking price and some marginally above with one or two exceptions where supply is really low. Owner occupiers in the city center are sitting tight not moving and most of the stock coming to the market is ex rental. This reflects a shortage of supply not just in the city but the suburbs as well and the panic of selling and not being able to find something to buy. Hopefully spring will launch more stock but at this stage it’s too early to tell. Lawrence Copeland FRICS Director. Lawrence Copeland Town and City Centre Estate Agents. Successfully selling in the City Centre and Salford Quays since 1991.