Summer is traditionally a quieter period for the UK property market, with school holidays, family commitments and overseas travel often causing buyers and sellers to put their plans on hold. This year, however, prolonged hot weather appears to have added to the seasonal slowdown.

August does not have to be a quiet month for your property search. With the right financial preparation and viewing strategy, summer buyers can uncover opportunities others may miss.

A fresh coat of paint can help, but missing paperwork can delay a sale for months. Use August to prepare the information buyers and solicitors will need before an offer is agreed.

The Bank of England is widely expected to hold interest rates at 3.75% when policymakers announce their latest decision on Thursday 30 July. While this may appear to signal stability on the surface, there are a number of underlying factors creating a more complex and uncertain outlook.