Buyer interest in the housing market has recorded its strongest growth in five years.
The number of buyers registering with estate agents grew by 18pc in February, the highest figure since a 23pc rise in February 2007, Hometrack said.
But much of this was an "artificial boost", brought about by first-time buyers trying to beat a Stamp Duty Holiday, the study said.
Despite the "seasonal pick-up", house prices remained flat for the second month in a row, with Greater London the only region to record any increase, a 0.1pc rise.
Estate agents and lenders have reported increased interest from first-time buyers as they rush to complete deals before the two-year stamp Duty Holiday for this sector of the market ends in March.
The greatest increases in first-time buyer numbers were reported in the South East, where they were up by 28pc, and the South West, which recorded a 22pc rise.
Article source - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/borrowing/mortgages/9107765/House-buyers-return-in-record-numbers.html
Article source - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/borrowing/mortgages/9107765/House-buyers-return-in-record-numbers.html
