03-03-09, UpMyStreet ©

› Read results for the other UK regions 

Over 1,200 of you responded to our property market confidence 2009 survey, so thank you! With the huge changes in the housing market in 2008, we felt it was time to take the nation's temperature at the start of 2009. We wanted to know how confident you felt across the UK, and regionally, about the housing market and the government's handling of the current crisis.

With a £192,221 gap between average regional house prices (London vs. North East) a difference in attitudes and plans for 2009 was inevitable - and these regional results show this, and much more.

London

Property prices in 2008: -12.9% 

Only 69% of our London respondents are homeowners - making them the least likely to own a home. This is possibly unsurprising when you consider the average house price in London is £306,183, which is £112,754 more than the next most expensive region, the South East. The london region also has the highest proportion of tenants.

People in London are the most likely to believe that house prices in their region will rise in 2009. The are also the most tech savvy, with the majority using websites to keep up with house price trends.

South East

Property prices in 2008: -14.9%

South Easterners have the most positive attitude to the recession with 34% believing that it would 'definitely' change people's attitudes toward money. Movers in the South East plan to move in the April-June 09 period, which could show an uplift in transactions and even prices then - track this on UpMyStreet 

Homeowners in the South East are the most intent on making home improvements in 2009 (49%). This is reflected in high property prices and high homeownership - the aim is to improve, not move.

South West

Property prices in 2008: -15.6%

63% of people in the South West - the highest proportion across the UK - plan on staying where they are.  This is reflected in our October Home Sweet Home survey that showed people living in the South West to have mostly moved there for the lifestyle.

75% of first-time buyers in the South West believe 2009 is the right time to buy a new home. This is possibly reflected in the fact that the South West saw one of the biggest falls in property prices in 2008 (-15.6%).

East Midlands

Property prices in 2008: -13.5%

The East Midlands has the highest proportion (73%) of movers who believe that now is the right time to move. The East Midlands also has the second highest number (after the North East) of people wanting to enter the buy-to-let market in 2009. In 2009, it seems the East Midlands is a region intent on change in the property market.

West Midlands

Property prices in 2008: -13.6%

Alongside London, the West Midlands has the lowest number of homeowners. Additionally, like London, the region has a high proportion of first-time buyers. But, with over 53% thinking that prices will continue to fall in the region in 2009, this could change - possibly leading to an increase in transactions in 2010.

› Read results for the other UK regions