Summer Property Sales Heat Up.

Online, August 6, 2013 (Newswire.com) - The sun comes out and sales heat up as 7 out of 12 regions recorded by the Property Activity Index buck seasonal trends displaying month-on-month increases for properties sold. The index shows good start to the summer holiday season for the UK housing market as it surpasses itself recording a national increase of 8.5% on properties sold, with robust figures from London and the southern regions setting the pace; London up by 43.5% and South East up 29.3 % and the South West up by 19.7 %.

Figures from the Property Activity index also highlighted a slower pace for properties coming on to the market as the seasonal slowdown hit all 12 regions. Over all a national decline of
-13.5% was recorded. Biggest fallers were Central England dropping by -30%, the South East by -22.6%, the North East by -19.7% and London by -30.7%. Smaller declines were made in East Anglia dropping by -7%, the North West by -5.7% and Scotland records the lowest decline of 5.1%.

Consistent performers over a three month average period include Wales who this month recorded steady increase of 3.7% on new listings for sale and 2.6% on properties sold. These figures shed a positive light over their recent declines of -10.5% on new properties coming on to the market and 9.8%on properties sold. London remains a top performer, with an average increase of 14.4% on properties sold and 3.1 % on new listings for sale as do the South East.

Looking more closely at the data recorded by the Property Activity Index for individual towns and cities only 3 reported increases for new listing for sale properties. York came in 3rd with a rise of 0.49%, on properties coming on to the market and 17.7% for properties sold. Southampton reported a 0.79% increase for properties coming and a notable 75.61% increase on properties sold. The UK's hottest spot and most consistent was Coventry with increase of 12.63% on properties coming on to the market and a robust increase of 40% on properties sold.

Agency Express Comments
Commenting on the latest index results, Stephen Watson, Managing Director of Agency Express said:

July has been an interesting month for the UK property market. Predominantly figures for new properties coming on to the market do follow the seasonal month-on-month trend for July however sales have surpassed themselves. During these summer months seasonal slowdown is anticipated, we may have observed a slump in new 'For Sale' listings but the index has demonstrated there is still a great demand for property. With more and lower deposit mortgages being made available this demand will only increase. As we pick up pace again in forthcoming months we look forward to seeing these figures evening out again.

About Agency Express

Agency Express is the UK's leading provider of estate agency board services. Via a countrywide network of operating centres and specially trained board erectors Agency Express currently erect and maintain estate agency boards across the nation.

Agency Express was formed in 1998 specifically to provide a nationwide 'For Sale' board erection and management service for corporate and independent estate agencies via a network of franchisees. Today, Agency Express is the UK's largest 'For Sale' board company with one in four boards being erected and serviced by our franchisees.

'For Sale' boards can be seen on virtually every street in the UK and every one of these boards needs to be erected, changed to display 'Sold' and, finally, be removed at a time agreed with the agency when the sale has been completed. In short, a multimillion pound business, the results of which give a very visible indication of the condition of the UK residential property market.

Stephen Watson: Founder & Managing Director of Agency Express, Stephen has 20 years estate agency experience, was instrumental in the formation of the UK's first estate agency franchise company and latterly, headed up the franchising division of Alliance & Leicester Property Services.