The Index, based on the volume and activity status of ‘For Sale’ and ‘Sold’ boards across the UK, reveals that the number of properties ‘Sold’ in October rose 13.4% compared to September. And compared to a year ago, sales are up 37.8% on October 2008.
The uplift was led by the South East which experienced a 39.4% monthly increase in sales, the East Midlands with a 35.0% rise, London at 24.5% and Wales at 23.4%.
The guarded optimism that the housing market is back on the road to recovery was supported by five regions recording particularly significant levels of sales activity:
- London and the North West had the highest level of sales for 20 months
- Wales and the East Midlands had the highest level of sales for 18 months
- Scotland had the highest level of sales for 17 months
Commenting on the latest Index, Stephen Watson, managing director, Agency Express, said: “This month’s results provide the housing industry with a very encouraging set of figures. Every region except the North East has seen an increase in the number of properties sold in October and with London and the South East having such a good month we can expect to see the ripple effect of this uplift move into the regions over the coming months. The number of sales in October was nearly 80% higher than those achieved in January and the three month trend is also showing that sales are on the up.”
