More people weighing up homes, poll

Figures have shown that the number of people looking at properties rose unexpectedly during December.

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) said that the number of people registered on estate agents' books was up month on month.

The rise to 294 people per estate agent branch, suggests that more consumers are saving and enquiring about mortgages. The figures showed that people were looking round potential new homes right up until agents stopped work for Christmas.

A fifth of the total were people looking to get onto the property ladder for the first time, too. This signified an increase on the previous month, but it was still down on the same time a year earlier.

Mike Poole, NAEA regional executive for the north sector, said: "Many members were kept busy right up to the Christmas break which bodes well for 2012.

"Sales were being agreed and a limited number of viewings were still booked in right up until the festivities began."

Copyright Press Association 2012