The buoyant start to the year was recorded in a poll of almost 700 estate agents conducted by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA).
Almost two thirds, some 59%, of those surveyed said that the number of house hunters registering with them during the first two weeks of January was higher than they would normally expect for this time of year.
Just over a quarter, 26%, said that levels were consistent with the average for January. Just 14% said things were worse than expected.
Similarly, the level of enquiries from potential sellers went up with 45% of NAEA members reporting an increase over the same period. Over a third, 36%, of agents questioned said that figures remained steady.
‘The results of this latest survey would seem to indicate a renewed confidence in the housing market as we begin 2011. It is encouraging to see that the majority of our agents are noting an upturn on both the buyer and seller sides and those that didn’t are still reporting steady figures consistent with January of last year,’ said NAEA president Mike Jones.
‘The market appears to have experienced a jump start to 2011. We are hopeful that this strong start to the year will continue into February,’ he added.
Meanwhile, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is warning property owners to be more aware of the risk of flooding due to changes in weather patterns.
It says that of the 28 million homes in the UK, more than five million are currently at risk, as well as more than 300,000 business premises and many more public and utility services buildings.
While the chances for most of these properties of being flooded in any one year remains small, the damage and disruption caused if a flood occurs is very serious.
For those which have been flooded in recent years, the potential risk of repeated future flooding is much more significant and could affect insurance premiums, the RICS report says.
And it points out that flooding does not just occur when rivers burst their banks. Many properties are at risk from other causes such as flood by surface water after heavy rain, by rising groundwater, by exceptionally high tides or the bursting of water pipes or tanks inside a house.
The organisation has launched a new RICS consumer property guide to flooding that advises property owners to undertake a more accurate assessment of the flood risk to their property.
The report also advises on the risks from the different types of flooding, including local ground and surface water flooding risks, not currently included on the Environment Agency’s flood risk maps, and how flood waters may enter the property causing damage to the fabric and the contents.
