First-time buyers buoy house sales

Sales have been strong throughout the summer months and local estate agents forecast better times ahead.

The predictions are in line with a new survey of the housing market which shows that the number of homes for sale increased in August for the first time in four months.

The average estate agent had 64 properties on their books during the month, up from 59 in July and the first rise since April, according to the National Association of Estate Agents.

Today Carol Hartill, at Cooper Green, in Shrewsbury, said: "We have been very busy over the past couple of months. We're seeing the return of the first time buyer. They've been absent for a good 18 months. We're seeing more life in the lower end of the market, which is feeding up. Things are much improved."

Les Thomas, at McCartneys, in Craven Arms, added: "Had it have slowed down any more we'd have been going backwards. We've seen a lot more movement.

"Things started picking up in June and have continued through to August. We're not seeing values increasing but people are looking. Those who have sat on the fence for the past year are now making their move."

The NAEA had predicted the increase, which it attributed to people who had previously been registered as buyers finding properties they were interested in and putting their own home on the market.

The increase is good news for the property market, with the NAEA previously warning that any recovery could be held back by a shortage of homes for sale.

However, economists have attributed recent price increases due to a shortage of stock, and they have warned that if properties flood on to the market, prices could begin falling again.

Despite the rise in properties bring put up for sale, other areas of the housing market suffered from the traditional seasonal slowdown, with the number of househunters registered with estate agents dropping to 238 on average, down from 292 in July.

By Andy Richardson