Stamp duty breaks for first-time buyers remains a popular measure, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
In its latest Housing Market Survey, the group found that 89% of Britons are in favour of extending the current tax holiday on house purchasing.
Data released by HM Revenue and Customs yesterday (21 July) pointed to ongoing subdued activity in private residence sales, a factor which RICS argues proves the need for stamp duty breaks to stay.
Total sales for the second quarter of 2010 stand at 225,000, only slightly more than in the first three-month period of the year and well below the 260,000 recorded in the last quarter of 2009.
The latest RICS survey also showed an increase in property listed, while buyer enquiries declined, which may account for some of the market slowdown.
Further support for first-time buyers might redress the balance, as Katy John of PricedOut.org.uk recently called upon the government to end favourable tariffs for those purchasing a second dwelling.
Stamp duty holiday 'should stay'
