NAEA Propertymark has reported that the number of sales made to first-time buyers increased in September, to 30%.

This is the highest figure seen since February.

Year-on-year, this is an increase of eight percentage points from September 2018 when it stood at 22%.

Meanwhile, the number of sales agreed per member branch fell to eight in September, the first time it has decreased since April.

The number of house hunters registered per estate agent branch fell in September, from 433 to 387, while year-on-year, housing demand is up, rising from 338 house hunters per branch in September 2018.

The number of properties available per member branch also fell in September, from 44 in August to 40

Year-on-year, the supply of housing is down, falling from 46 in September 2018.

Mark Hayward, chief executive of NAEA Propertymark, said: “Despite a fall in demand from house hunters, first-time buyers have continued to show resilience as they take advantage of favourable market conditions and drive their transactions forward.

“The recent mortgage data released from UK Finance shows the number of first-time buyer mortgage completions reached its highest monthly level in August 2019 since August 2007, further highlighting this trend.

“Low or no stamp duty on lower priced properties have proved to be a big reason behind this boost in the first-time buyer market, however they could also be concerned that the market may turn against them if a Brexit deal is achieved and are buying now to avoid that scenario.

“Until we are clearer on what the future holds, it’s likely we’ll continue seeing the number of first-time buyer sales rising.”