Prior to the election of the present Labour Government, the UK property market had tended to move in very cyclical patterns with significant (short term) boom and busts episodes.  Over the last 10 years this particular trait has faded and the UK property investment market has been on a general upturn for some time.  The release of significant numbers of social housing over the last decade has helped to flatten the natural boom and bust curve.

As the UK continues to attract significant overseas property investment the UK propertyinvestment market around the major cities have tended to lead the way with regards to price rises (particularly London property and the South East).  Where the major cities lead, the smaller cities and towns have followed  - although there is often a time lag as the factors affecting the general market slowly spread far and wide.