Housing market sees spring bounce, estate agents say

Monday, 19 April 2010

The number of people trying to buy or sell homes has picked up in the past month, according to estate agents.

The number of potential sellers rose in March to its highest level for six months, the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) said.

And 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

Earlier this week, a survey by the the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), some of whose members 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.

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Source: BBC Business News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8622662.stm

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