There are more properties coming up for sale, surveyors say Further rises in house prices may be held back by more properties coming onto the market, surveyors have said.The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) says new instructions outpaced enquires from new buyers in February. It was the second month in a row that this had happened. The rise in house prices during the past year has been attributed by many commentators to a shortage of stock for sale. Despite the suggestion that the balance between buyers and sellers may be changing, Rics still found more surveyors reporting rising prices than falling prices last month. "There was a resumption of interest in the housing market following the fall that took place in January which was due partly to the extreme weather conditions during that month and the reversion back to the previous stamp duty regime," said Rics spokesman Jeremy Leaf. "The magnitude of the gains going forward is likely to continue to ease reflecting the fact that new supply coming onto the market is starting to outstrip fresh demand.[Read more...]