“In an illiquid Cash buyers of property could take advantage of market conditions that had halved the number of mortgage - backed buyers in a decade , according to estate agency Savills . It said a tightening of lending rules had cut the number of people relying on mortgages from 653,000 a decade ago to 370,000 this year . Other market observers said cash buyers could benefit from sellers who wanted to sell before Christmas being prepared to cut their asking price . Discounts of up to 20 % are already available in London . Buying Solution consultant Thea Carroll said a stagnant market offered a “ trump card ” for cash buyers .
Cash buyers of property could take advantage of market conditions that had halved the number of mortgage - backed buyers in a decade , according to estate agency Savills . It said a tightening of lending rules had cut the number of people relying on mortgages from 653,000 a decade ago to 370,000 this year . Other market observers said cash buyers could benefit from sellers who wanted to sell before Christmas being prepared to cut their asking price . Discounts of up to 20 % are already available in London . Buying Solution consultant Thea Carroll said a stagnant market offered a “ trump card ” for cash buyers .