Estate agents have reported strong lettings and sales demand since the housing market was effectively reopened last week.
Just over a week ago the government eased restrictions on the sales and lettings market put into place at the start of the lockdown. Estate agents’ offices can now open, as can show homes, and viewings are permitted. Previously people had been urged to avoid moving where possible during the lockdown.
North London estate agency chain Martyn Gerrard said 60% of the lettings viewings booked so far this month were arranged on Monday and Tuesday for a range of dates.
On the same two days this week, 33% of all of this month’s offers to buy were made, the company said.
Simon Gerrard, managing director of Martyn Gerrard said: "It has been extremely encouraging to see the positive market reaction since the Government announced the reopening of estate agents.”
He added: “Sales agreements and offers are on the rise and both buyers and sellers appear confident and keen to move.”
Clive Beattie, acting chief executive of OnTheMarket, the online property firm set up by estate agents to challenge Rightmove and Zoopla, said website traffic leapt over the last week.
Beattie said: “We have been encouraged by the activity we have seen which clearly shows pent up consumer demand moving through quickly.”
Earlier this week Knight Frank reported that online enquiries about properties had jumped.
