The results of the NAEA’s December survey found a 40 per cent rise in the number of new buyer registrations when compared to the average over the previous three months.
The study also confirmed the results of a number of major lenders when it found that house prices were up 12.2 per cent on the same time last year.
Hugh Dunsmore-Hardy, chief executive of the NAEA, said: "Based on these results, it appears that the current economic climate is having little impact on quelling demand. We are, therefore, anticipating a busy start to 2002 as enquiries are converted into house sales."
Although 86 per cent of agents reported a drop in the number of viewings and transactions in December, Dunsmore-Hardy, said: "While viewings and sales are traditionally down in December, the December 2001 market appears not to have fallen into the traditional lull and has finished better than average for the time of year."
