The average number of house hunters registered per member branch was the highest December on record at 461, new figures released by Propertymark show.

The volume of house hunters registered per member agent branch last month represents an increase of 33% from December 2020.

But while demand grows, the supply of properties continues to fall – hitting an average of just 19 homes per member branch, which is the lowest on Propertymark record and 42% less than in December 2020.

Consequently, each member branch has an average of 24 buyers for every property they have for sale.

Meanwhile, the average number of sales agreed per member branch dropped to five which although 38% less than December 2020, is average for December over a five-year period.

In terms of what properties sold for, the figures show that in November, the majority of homes sold by Propertymark agents went for over the asking price (38%).

However, in December 50% of homes sold for the original asking price. Whilst this shift hints to the usual lull December brings, year-on-year the figure is still incredibly high.

In December 2020 just 28% of properties sold by members were agreed at asking price, with the majority, 67% agreeing sales at under asking price.

The data also reveals that the number of members’ sales made to first-time buyers fell to 14% in December from November’s figure of 29%.

Nathan Emerson, chief executive of Propertymark, commented: “Although December shows the usual festive lull compared with previous months, demand has still been incredibly high when compared against pre-pandemic data with more house hunters registered than in any other December. This could point to a busy January and a perfect time to sell your home if you’ve been thinking about it.”