Pick of the crop: more homes for sale

• The number of available homes for sale per estate agent has reached its highest level since 2014 and 12% higher year-on-year, giving buyers the pick of the crop.

• Despite strong housing market activity, the number of new properties hitting the market and the time they take to sell are both rising, leading to an increase in available homes for sale

• In this buyers market, sellers must price competitively to achieve a sale as affordability remains stretched and choice levels are high.

• Almost 2 in 5 sales (37%) are currently being agreed at more than 5% below the initial asking price. Source: Dataloft by PriceHubble, Rightmove, Zoopla