PROPERTY experts are cautious about the prospects for the Yorkshire housing market over the next three months.

The latest residential market survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors shows only a quarter of regional surveyors expect house sales to rise in the first quarter of 2015.

This follows the third consecutive month of increased house sales in December.

Surveyors say that future rises would be constrained by tough financial conditions, tighter lending criteria and a shortage of homes for sale.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist (pictured), said: “The changes to stamp duty are expected to provide a timely boost to activity in the housing market but there remain significant challenges particularly for first time buyers.”