The housing market continues to heat up with more people contacting estate agents hoping to buy or sell property, according to Rightmove, which says that the number of people contacting agents about homes for sale is up by 17% compared with this time last year.

However, Rightmove also revealed that the number of available homes for sale is 12% higher than a year ago - and at the highest per estate agent since 2014. Rightmove also reports the number of sales being agreed is up by 29% annually, a strong rebound from the weakened conditions of 2023.

However, while people appear to be keen to move, asking prices are being kept in check by the fact that buyers are spoilt for choice. The firm says the glut of homes on the market is intensifying competition between sellers, with buyer choice at levels not seen for 10 years, putting downwards pressure on asking prices.

Tim Bannister at Rightmove said: “This month’s subdued price growth comes as buyer choice soars to a level not seen since 2014. With the ball in the buyer’s court and the pick of a big crop to choose from, sellers need to be pricing competitively to find a buyer, particularly with affordability still very stretched.”