However, its figures showed application levels remained 0.8% lower than in May 2010.
Countrywide said applications for its fixed rate products were most popular, with an average rate of 5.46% and average deposit of around 12%.
Moreover, seven out of ten of May’s most applied for mortgages at Countrywide were 90% LTV deals.
However, remortgage applications fell for the third consecutive month, making up 23% of all mortgage applications in May, as the Bank of England held interest rates at 0.5%.
Countrywide said that buy-to-let remortgaging in May increased 6% compared to April.
Grenville Turner, chief executive of Countrywide, said: “The hesitant nature of the current sales market is seeing an increasing number of homeowners considering dual marketing their properties in the sales and the rental market in an attempt to see where the greatest financial value is. We expect this to continue in the coming months.”
He added: “The residential sales market remains robust as the appetite from buyers remains relatively consistent. However, the inability to raise mortgage finance continues to provide a difficult barrier to overcome even though the price of 90% LTV mortgages has begun to fall again.
“A boost in consumer confidence is critical as the continuing uncertainty over the economic outlook remains as important as the availability of mortgage finance in depressing demand.”
