Latest HBF survey results show continuing uncertainty in the housing market, but also indications that a soft landing is likely. The balance of housebuilders reporting lower site visitors in January compared with a year ago is unchanged on December, but an improvement on the two preceding months. A balance of 34% of housebuilders surveyed expect higher sales this year, which is the greatest level of confidence seen since October 2004. According to the RICS, buyer inquiries to estate agents stabilised in January, and other market indicators suggest that consumer confidence is high.<p></p><p></p><table><tbody><tr><td><table><tbody><tr><td><b> Activity in the month compared with the same month a year ago (balance&amp;*)</b></td></tr> <tr><td><b> </b></td><td><b>Oct</b></td><td><b>Nov</b></td><td><b>Dec</b></td><td><b>Jan</b></td></tr> <tr><td> Site visitors</td><td>-44</td><td>-49</td><td>-22</td><td>-23</td></tr> <tr><td> Net reservations</td><td>-52</td><td>-50</td><td>-43</td><td>-31</td></tr> <tr><td><b> Net house price change during the month (balance&amp;*)</b></td></tr> <tr><td></td><td>-24</td><td>-25</td><td>-32</td><td>-6</td></tr> <tr><td><b> Companies expecting higher sales in 2005 (balance&amp;*)</b></td></tr> <tr><td></td><td>+28</td><td>+19</td><td>+29</td><td>+34</td></tr> <tr><td> The HBF survey is based on responses from over 400 companies across all regions of Great Britain weighted to take account of their size. </td></tr> <tr><td>&amp;* Balance: % reporting an increase less % reporting a decrease (GB)</td></tr> </tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>