Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the NAEA, said: "The NAEA's latest figures show that buyers are coming back to the market - the average number of house-hunters registered per branch increased significantly in July, from 263 in June to 299. This is an unprecedented increase for what is traditionally a very quiet time.
"As mortgage conditions are more favourable now than at any time in the last three years, those in a position to buy are coming out of the woodwork and benefiting from prices that are, overall, still lower than a year ago.
"However, supply continues to be an issue and NAEA members are reporting a drop in the number of properties available.
“The truth is that, for most people - particularly first time buyers - while buying a property is becoming more affordable, there just aren't enough available properties on the market."
