Well - I'm happy to report that it IS so up in my corner of County Durham.
During the last few weeks lots of asking prices have been sneaking down, there are plenty of houses that have had 5 - 10% knocked off the asking price. However most of the EA websites aren't advertising this fact, they are just knocking off 10K, 15K, 25K but most don't pop up on the screen when you ask "whats changed in the last 3 days".
Other cheery EA news:
(1) I've had to resort to keeping my mobile on silent as 2 local EA's have taken to ringing me at least 3 times a week (and calling back to check i got a call) asking if i'd like to view any properties... I admit I sometimes just watch the phone ring & feel smug.
(2) Another EA has got a brand new 'flashing banner' on their website to celebrate when a house goes under offer... Almost enough to give you an epileptic fit but at least you'll remember that they've managed to sell a house!
(3) Finally, I feel I have to give Pattinsons a special mention... I truly believe the only reason they don't advertise through Rightmove is because they know they'd be sussed in 2 seconds. As a rule of thumb, if Pattinsons and A.N.Other EA market the same property, Pattinsons stick an extra 15K on the price tag, up to 40K in some instances (and I'm talking about houses under 250K here...) Pattinsons have decided to march to the beat of their own drum and are slapping up their asking prices instead (169K last