June saw an 11-year high in the number of house hunters registered per branch of estate agents, according to the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA).
Its monthly report found 439 house hunters were registered on average per NAEA member branch in June, 15% more than in May when 383 house hunters were registered per branch and the highest since August 2004 when 582 were recorded.
Despite a large rise in demand, supply of housing stock fell marginally from May, to just 44 houses available per branch (compared to 46 in May), widening the growing gap between supply and demand.
Mark Hayward, managing director of the NAEA, said: “What we’re seeing is a market that lulled over the general election period, coming back to life in full force. Buyers are feeling more confident and those who put their plans on hold over the election and political aftermath have kicked off their hunt, causing this massive jump in demand.
“There’s also an impetus to buy right now in light of the impending interest rate rise as buyers fight to buy and fix mortgage rates. But the fact that demand is at an 11-year high without the housing stock to fuel it, is bad news for the market.”
As the gap between supply and demand widened in May, activity remained consistent, with nine sales made on average per branch for the second month running. However, the number of sales made to first time buyers declined in June, with the group accounting for just 24% of sales, compared to 29% in May.
Hayward added: “Although activity is still slow, it’s very promising to see that the surge in demand and dip in supply hasn’t caused activity to halt, and houses are still being sold. However, the growing gap between supply and demand is worrying and clearly demonstrates that more needs to be done to plug this.
“The election was full of promises to build more houses, but now those promises need to be put into bricks and mortar to respond to demand.”
