Buyers not biting yet

Like a skilled fisherman, those looking to sell their homes may have to give buyers something extra before they bite in light of recent figures.

Data from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) have shown that the average number of housing transactions has shown little sign of increasing in spite of a third successive month of inflated buyer interest.

The average number of transactions per agency over the past three months is now just 9.9 – the lowest since the study began more than 30 years ago.

Rics spokesperson Jeremy Leaf predicted things may take a few months to start moving.

"The latest survey provides further evidence of the eagerness of buyers to try and pick up bargains," he said.

"This interest has yet to translate into sales but transactions may pick up in the coming months if the government follows through on its recent announcement and introduces guarantees for the issuance of residential mortgage backed securities."

However it is the homes which offer something extra like a conservatory or designer kitchen that are likely to attract the first interest when the market does begin to pick up – something highlighted by a recent Daily Telegraph report revealing that the dinner party is making a comeback.