It noted that 992,000 properties were exchanged during the quarter, showing “sustained growth”, while new instructions grew by two per cent to reach 1.8 million.
TwentyCI suggested this was a sign of the gradual increase in confidence among homeowners to bring their property to market, and noted that with a lack of supply hampering the market this was a positive development.
The firm argued that with the Brexit saga still ongoing, homeowners were getting on with moving house rather than considering the situation a reason to delay any further,
Colin Bradshaw, chief customer officer at TwentyCI, cautioned that the current political climate had led to a slower moving market, but added: “The overall picture is encouraging however, with signs of growth maintained for the three months to the end of June. Consumer confidence may have yet to fully return, but there are indications of recovery.”
Asking prices rising in the North
Looking at regional asking prices, TwentyCI noted that beyond the East and West Midlands, the growth in average asking prices was limited to the North East and Scotland, which had seen increases of four per cent and two per cent respectively.
In contrast the market was found to be more subdued in the south, with prices down three per cent in the East, two per cent in London and one per cent in the South East.
TwentyCI suggested that this north-south divide likely reflected the increased availability, and greater affordability, of properties in northern areas.
Online agents stalling
The report also noted that the market share of online agents when it comes to property exchanges has dropped slightly, from 7.5 per cent in the first quarter to 7.3 per cent this time around.
Bradshaw noted: “Online agent popularity continues to typically resonate with the lower-value end of the housing market and from primarily northern regions of the UK where more properties of this nature are located”.
