A new report referencing the housing market appears to show that caution could be setting in as Brexit uncertainty looms over the UK. The deadline for Brexit is 31 October, and since the Brexit vote in summer of 2016, doom and gloom forecasts for the housing market have not ceased. It doesn’t mean, however, that the forecasts have panned out to be correct. Month after month data showed a resilience in the housing market as hopeful home buyers took advantage of opportunities and pushed caution and worry aside.

Rightmove, an online property lister, has revealed in their latest report that the average asking price of a home newly listed for sale on their website has declined by £730 to £304,770 in the month to month comparison. For Rightmove, this is the first time since 2010 that asking prices have declined.

This certainly could indicate that sellers are expecting a difficult time in getting their property sold in the shadow of Brexit. It could also indicate they are anxious to sell and to do so quickly rather than negotiate and wait out the market.

The decline in asking prices could prompt home shoppers to take action. Not only could they discover a low interest rate mortgage from lenders, and for some a historic low for that lender’s institution, but also longer fixed rate terms than seen in decades or for some lenders, ever. Now with lower asking prices and home sellers anxious to sell, it could actually stimulate a boost right before the Brexit deadline.

The data will reveal how hopeful home buyers responded when the deadline passes and mortgage lending and property sales figures are reported.