Figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) show an increase in sales and suggest the worst of the market slowdown could be over. After four months of stagnation sales rose in July and were just 18% lower than last year, compared with 36% in February. House prices remained week with 36% of estate agents reporting a fall but this was down from 41% in June and is the lowest figure since February. RICS housing spokesman Jeremy Leaf said: “Some signs of recovery are evident in the market. Would-be buyers have become more confident as a result of the interest rate outlook, while the economy continues to deliver steady growth despite the past year’s slowdown.” He added: “The recent terror attacks have not had any impact on house prices, even in London. The August interest rate cut will support a further rise in buyer activity, though there is little prospect of a renewed house price boom any time soon.” (FT, Guardian)