House prices in Bucks are tipped to shoot up over the next four years.

One of the leading estate agents in the county issued a revised forecast for property values in the south east on Monday following a surge in demand from buyers since restrictions were lifted.

Back in January the agency’s analysts were expecting prices in the region to rise by a relatively modest four per cent this year.

The predicted increase for 2021 has now been bumped up to nine per cent.

In the slightly longer term between now and 2025 we could see local values rising by 19 per cent, say the agents.

Chris Moorhouse, head of Savills’ office in Beaconsfield says the latest estimate would take the average cost of a house in the county from £336,984, which is what it is now, to £401,348.

The typical cost of a home in Beaconsfield is already among the most expensive outside London.

The agency explained: “Since the market reopened last year house price growth has been driven in large part by buyers [less reliant on a big mortgage] who are able to lock into low fixed interest rates.

“Some of that growth could unwind at times over the next 12 months but we see nothing on the horizon that would trigger a major house price correction.

“People’s motivation for moving and the lifestyle changes we have seen as a result of the pandemic are unlikely to disappear any time soon.

“Demand [from buyers joining the market] continues to outweigh supply, underpinning further price growth in the short term.

“Longer term it’s slightly harder to predict particularly as interest rates are expected to rise a little earlier than previously projected.

“But such strong rises in 2021 are likely to leave less capacity for price growth over the next few years.

“Annual increases are expected to be relatively modest between 2022 and 2025.”

He advised: “Setting a realistic guide price from the start will be key to maintaining market momentum.

“First time buyers are likely to be increasingly reliant on government schemes and where available the generosity of the bank of mum and dad.”

Most experts believe the present imbalance between supply and demand will peak this summer.

Sell now, buy later, seems to be the message.

In the meantime, move in with the in-laws or your grown up kids. That should be fun.