Frank O'Donnell

A rise in people looking to buy and sell their homes has been witnessed by estate agents in the past month. The number of potential sellers rose in March to its highest level for six months, the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) said. 

The number of prospective buyers went up by 7% last month. The NAEA said spring had brought its usual increase in activity, and suggested sales would improve in the coming months.

“Spring has finally arrived and brought with it a much needed boost to the housing market, particularly among sellers,” said Gary Smith of the NAEA. “This figure has been low in recent months and this is a welcome indication that reflects a growing confidence that the recovery is well underway.”

Encouraging signs A survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) earlier in the week said some of whose members, who also work as estate agents reported that the number of people trying to sell their homes last month had reached its highest level since May 2007.

Sales have also risen, the NAEA said, from an average of 6.8 per branch in February to eight last month. The NAEA said all this was encouraging, especially with more sellers around.

“This month’s figures reveal an increase in the levels of housing stock with more properties available for sale per branch – the highest value recorded over the last six months,” the NAEA said.