Fears that 2003 will be a difficult year for the industry have grown following the results of the latest HBF survey which covers December 2002. New home site visitors in the month were down on Dec 2001 (balance -15%) as were new reservations (-3%). But a balance of +41% of respondents still expects increased sales in 2003. <p></p><p><b>HBF Monthly Survey Summary ResultsActivity in the month compared with the same month a year ago (balance*)&amp; SeptOctNovDecSite visitors +18-1-6-15Net reservations +13+2-5-3Net house price change during the month (balance*)&amp; +60+50+47+35Companies expecting higher sales in 2000 (balance*)&amp; -+50+47+41<i>The HBF survey is based on responses from over 400 companies across all regions of Great Britain weighted to take account of their size </i></b><i><br> * Balance: % reporting an increase less % reporting a decrease (GB)</i></p><p></p><p>&amp; </p><p></p>