Grantham property expert Chris Watkin has given his predictions on how the coronavirus pandemic might affect the town's property market.

Chris, who has worked in the industry since the early 1990s, has produced an 11-page report outlining his case.

In it, he details why believes the biggest impact will be on the number of properties sold, rather than prices.

Chris told Grantham Nub News that in the first few months of this year, the town's property market was in a good position because previously people had been holding off purchasing due to uncertainties over Brexit.

Some economist fear a 'crash' but when that had happened before, Grantham had experienced prices 'running away', mortgage rates were higher and mortgages took a larger share of household incomes.

Now, mortgate rates were lower, house price inflation was lower and Grantham has 'pent up' demand.

He said: "In a nutshell, the biggest effect won't be on house prices but on people moving."

Therefore, the biggest fall-out of the pandemic will be on the estate agents themselves and the removals businesses.

This summer, few people will move but after the lockdown, more will think about having to remain in smaller homes and will want something larger.

His report said those in starter homes will be going 'stir crazy'.

It also said those in larger homes seeking to downsize may seek to be closer to their families.

There might be a chance of a few 'bargains' from those seeking a quick or desperate sale, but after a dip, prices would recover as people increasingly sought to move.

His report concluded that this pandemic was a "bump, albeit a rather big bump, on the roller coaster of the property market."