Just under one-third of agents’ sales in February were to first-time buyers, the NAEA has said.

It was the highest proportion since last September.

The NAEA also said that there were 366 applicants per branch, with average supply at 43.

Average sales agreed last month were eight per branch.

Almost half of respondents to the NAEA’s monthly survey (46%) said the market was cooling in the lead-up to the general election.