The LSL and Acadata index expects the total number of transactions this year to be 15% higher than 2012, but the shortage of properties to continue.
House prices climbed 0.6% in October compared to the previous month and 4.3% on an annual basis. The average price of a house was £237,161.
E.surv chartered surveyors director Richard Sexton said: “There’s been a tremendous jump in transactions over the past three months – with the most sales recorded in an October since the onset of the crisis.
“Key to such a surge in activity is the renewed level of confidence seeping back into the market and a plethora of attractive mortgage deals enticing more and more aspiring buyers back into the housing arena.”
He said improved mortgage availability is expanding the number of potential buyers: “The increase in demand, in part fuelled by the second phase of Help to Buy having being brought forward, has driven up average house prices across the country by £1,376 over the past month and £9,776 from a year ago.”
According to the index, house prices have risen every month this year except for May and June.
The LSL index comes after the Nationwide house price index suggested prices in October increased 5.8% year-on-year.