Demand for detached homes rose by 14% at the start of the year, research from TwentyEA has revealed.
While popularity increased for all types of houses, including detached, semi-detached, and terraced, demand for flats nearly flatlined.
Over 286,000 new properties entered the market in January and February, the highest number in six years and 7.3% more than the same period in 2024.
Supply increased across all price bands, with the strongest growth among £350,000 to £1m properties.
Yorkshire saw the most significant regional growth at 10.1%.
Supply also increased in the South and Midlands, with more moderate growth in the North.
Demand for homes, measured by sales agreed, was just under 210,000 for the year to date, marking a 14% increase over 2024 and the highest level since 2021.
Demand rose across all UK regions, particularly in the East Midlands and the East of England, with growth of 20.6% and 18.6%, respectively.
The £350,000 to £1m price band saw the highest year-on-year demand increase at 21%, followed by the £200,000 to £350,000 band at 16%.
Katy Billany, executive director of TwentyEA, said: “The bumper start to the year is sustaining momentum and with expectations of further rate cuts, consumer confidence remains high.
“The upcoming stamp duty changes next month have likely motivated many buyers who are eager to finalise their purchases before the deadline, and once these adjustments take effect, we may see a small dampening of transactions levels.”
Billany added: “New instruction prices have remained almost static in the last year but they have still risen by 26% since 2019.
“With the spring selling season now approaching, it’s likely they will remain stable.”
