Increase in agent sale boards shows optimism in market

A third of estate agents have said they've seen around a 10% increase in properties coming onto the market, in comparison to six months ago.

The survey by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) reveals further optimism in the recovery of the housing market. Furthermore, one in six agents reported up to a 20% increase.

Gary Smith, President of the NAEA, said:

"Since the beginning of the year NAEA members have seen a significant increase in demand. There are clearly plenty of buyers out there. Last month the NAEA registered an average of four buyers for every available property.

"However the vast majority of these buyers also become sellers and these up-to-date figures show that as these buyers decide on a property the supply of housing will increase.

"It is another positive indication that the UK housing market is over the worst and the NAEA calls on the Government to further badger banks and building societies to respond to the opportunity to pull the situation around."