Leading estate agents Aston Mead are advising house-hunters in Surrey and Berkshire to snap up a property in the first few months of 2015.

Managing Director Adam Hesse says that canny buyers should consider purchasing a property in the months between January and the general election.

He explained: “The market has been somewhat off colour since last summer – and with the election coming up in May, we are more than likely going to have subdued conditions until the result is announced. The rules of supply and demand mean that fewer buyers at this time of year will lead to prices being suppressed.

“However, with the stamp duty reforms announced in the Autumn Statement in December, and with interest rates likely to remain low until 2016, we believe the market will resume with a steady 5% increase year on year. All of which means that those who have bought a property the first few months of 2015 could find themselves with a bit of a bargain by the end of the year.”

Adam Hesse also pointed out that those selling their house can benefit from more serious buyers in the winter months. He added: “Buyers who are actively looking at this time of year tend to be reacting to a specific trigger – such as a change of job, a baby on the way, or registering a child with a new school. So there are fewer speculative buyers out there, and more people who already have their mortgage sorted, are determined to find somewhere to live, and want to move in as soon as possible.”