The housing market sees a Spring bounce back

Its Property Supply Index showed new property listings across the UKwereup9.2%,from57,710in April to63,001in May.

The housing market sees a Spring bounce back

The housing market saw a late Spring bounce back with more homeowners putting their properties up for sale in May as the Brexit date extension gave them some much-needed breathing space, online estate agent Housesimple has found.

Its Property Supply Index showed new property listings across the UKwereup9.2%,from57,710in April to63,001in May. New supply in London was also up7.9%last month, seeing activity in the capital bounce back after a difficult few months of 2019.

Sam Mitchell, chief executive ofHousesimple, said:“All things considered, May was a strong month for new listings. Sellers looked to make the most of relatively calm market conditions and buyers continued to cash in on competitive mortgage rates.

“Parents will also be thinking about the next school year and this may spur on families looking to move and change school.

“Although Brexit uncertainty will return later in the year, the housing market experienced a late spring bounce in May as the Brexit extension removed short-term uncertainty.

“There is now a window of opportunity for buyers and sellers to make the most of more stable market conditions in the weeks to come.”

The Property Supply Index analyses the number of new properties listed each month by estate agents across more than 100 major UK towns and cities.

More than three quarters(80%)of those towns and cities saw a rise in new properties coming onto the market in May compared to April.

Warwick, Falmouth and Canterbury all saw new property listings rise by at least60%in May, while new sellers were up by a quarter in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.