Date Published 22 April 2009
The number of homes sold in the UK jumped by 40% in March from the previous month, according to figures from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
There were 60,000 property sales worth at least £40,000 each, compared with 43,000 in February. The figures suggest that the slump in home sales seen in the past 18 months may be coming to an end.
Even when the figures are adjusted for seasonal trends, they still show a rise from 54,000 to 61,000, a jump of 13%.
The data is in line with other figures from the Bank of England, which showed that mortgage approvals rose significantly in February after stagnating for six months.
And surveyors have reported a steady rise in the number of enquiries at estate agents from potential home buyers during the past five months.
