An Alsager estate agent has reacted to a survey saying house prices are beginning to fall nationally, as price and sales expectations continue negative trend.

Matthew Bass, manager of Stephenson Browne's Alsager office said the days of 'offers over/offers in excess of' have passed and properties are generally not getting over the asking price anymore.

But he said more people are still putting homes on the market which shows there is confidence in the housing market.

Matthew Bass, manager of Stephenson Browne's Alsager office

"It does appear to be easing off which we would generally expect at this time of year but our stock levels are increasing which shows that there is still confidence in the market and that there will still be people out there who are wanting to take advantage of a lower interest rate, if they secured an AIP in recent months," said Matthew.

"I do strongly believe that the days of 'offers over/offers in excess of' have passed and properties are generally not getting over the asking price anymore, a seller should take this into account when pricing their home to sell.

"Locally, we have not seen a price 'drop' at present but are expecting properties to become more competitive, considering there is more choice for a buyers and also the related costs involved with moving are increasing, which a buyer will take into account when offering."

Matthew's comments come after Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) November Residential Market survey revealed buyer demand, agreed sales and new instructions remain negative.

• National house prices begin to fall
• Both price and sales expectations point to these trends continuing near-term
• Rental market prices continue to rise, with increasing demand and falling supply

A RICS spokesperson said: "The results show overall activity continues to weaken across the sales market, with higher interest rates and a difficult macroeconomic outlook both taking their toll on buyer sentiment.

"Meanwhile, rising demand and falling supply send rental prices upwards.

"For the seventh month in a row, buyer demand continued to fall, with the net balance coming in at -38%. Whilst this is less negative than the -53% reported in the previous month, the market remains in a firmly downward trend with indications that this will continue in the near term."

For agreed sales, a national net balance of -35% was reported over this survey period indicating a continued decline in sales activity.

"Again, this is marginally less negative than the reading of -45% posted in October, but this is also the second month in a row that respondents across every UK region reported a decline in agreed sales, demonstrating what is a now a consistently negative picture at the national level."