HALSTEAD’S booming housing market has not suffered from a post-Brexit dip, according to town estate agents.

Experts warned house prices would fall, people would become wary of buying properties and supply would dry up following last month’s vote for the UK to leave the European Union.

However, estate agents in Halstead say they are yet to see any major impact.

Kevin Mixture, associate partner at independent estate agents Scott Maddison, said: “I can hand on heart say that business is still good for us.

“We have not seen a fall in prices, interest rates have not changed, we are still coming in early and going home late, much as the High Street still has traffic going up and down.

“What happens in the future is a different matter, and impossible to predict.

“For me, it comes down to how the Brexit process is handled; if it is done well then the future could hold some very exciting times for us.

“We are independent, and have been here for a very long time, so business has continued as usual for us.

“If you ask someone in London they may give you a very different answer but, honestly, we have not seen much effect in Halstead at all.”

Allen Estates, which recently became part of the Leaders group, based on Halstead High Street, noticed an initial drop in business after the Brexit vote.

But demand quickly returned to normal.

Liam Riley, assistant branch manager, said: “The first two weeks after the vote was announced on Brexit we certainly saw a drop in activity and viewing levels with most people a little uncertain as to what was going to happen in the market.

“However, after that period this quickly turned into ‘business as usual’ with a huge increase in viewings which has turned into offers and agreed sales from our Halstead branch.

“People will always need somewhere to live and there is still a housing shortage in the UK.

“With approximately 140,000 new homes being built each year, and approximately 250,000 new homes needed per year just to stand still, demand is always going to be greater than supply, so properties that are priced sensibly will always sell.

“The properties in our areas that we cover are often cheaper than some of our neighbouring towns so there is still demand for our properties from out of area buyers.

“With demand outstripping supply and with some of the cheapest ever mortgage rates available, we do not expect Brexit to have a negative effect on property sales or property prices from our Halstead branch.

“To keep up with demand we require more properties for the many registered buyers we have in waiting.”