Guernsey housing market activity slows as prices continue to rise
Sales activity in the Guernsey housing market is down by 40% in the Local Market and 48% in the Open Market for the first three months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, according to the latest conveyancing statistics compiled by Unusualities of Guernsey.
In total there were 124 Local Market transactions completed during Q1 of this year, down from the 208 transactions recorded in the first three months of 2022. Of those 124 transactions, 97 were Local Market house sales with a median price (realty only) of £619,125, compared to £643,500 for the same period in 2022. The median price (realty only) of the 27 Local Market flats sold in the last quarter was £382,688, an increase on the £326,625 recorded in Q1 of 2022.
Similarly, in the Guernsey Open Market, just 14 sales have been recorded so far this year, compared to 27 for the same period in 2022. Of these 14 sales, the median price (realty only) for the 11 Open Market houses sold was £2,437,500, up from the £1,160,250 recorded in 2022. The three Open Market flats sold so far this year attracted a median price of £897,000, lower than the £1,371,345 achieved in 2022 (from just one Local Market flat sale).
The increases in Local Market median house and flat sale prices from Q1 2021 to Q1 2023 were £60,937 and £104,810 respectively.
Jason Morgan, head of Carey Olsen's property group in Guernsey, said: "The end of 2022 was a particularly busy time for Guernsey's housing market, most notably on the Open Market where Q4 sales were at their second highest level since 2000. As is often the case in the early part of the year, there has been significantly less market activity for the first quarter of 2023. Although, a noticeable increase in properties being advertised for sale on the Local Market bodes well for an improvement in market activity in that sector in the months ahead.
Whilst Open Market transactions were significantly down for the first three months of 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, such reduction has to some extent been mitigated by a rise in median house prices for the same period, of more than £1 million."
Carey Olsen has one of the largest property law teams in the Channel Islands and advises private individuals, developers, investors and businesses on buying, developing, financing, selling and leasing property.
