The number of house-hunters registering with an agent increased for a second consecutive month -from an average of 304 in August to 308 in September.
This is higher than figures recorded for the same period last year, when the number of enquires reached 247.
Available housing stock also increased during the course of the month, moving up from an average of 65 to 72 properties, its highest level for three months.
Despite wider economic concerns in the European financial markets, this data indicates that UK sellers believe they will be able to secure a sale for their property, if reasonably priced.
First Time Buyers also enjoyed a slightly larger share of the overall sales market, increasing from 20 per cent in August to 22 per cent in September. However, NAEA regional executives have reported that a lot of regional variation exists in the number of FTBs getting onto the housing ladder.
The number of sales remained consistent with figures recorded in August with an average of 8 made per branch. As with enquiry levels, house sales remain slightly above average when compared with data recorded in 2010 (September; 7).
Wendy Evans-Scott, President of the NAEA said:
“It is encouraging to see that the number of enquiries is increasing, but sellers need to be very realistic when pricing their property in order to secure a sale in what is still a very cautious market.
“The number of First Time Buyers on the market has increased slightly over the course of the month, however our agents are reporting widespread regional variation. Lending still remains a real barrier to homeownership for this part of the market.”
