Housing market set to be busiest since 2007 - as Yorkshire sees 'hottest sales'

Around 1.52 million UK house sales are expected across 2021, up by 45 per cent compared with last year, Zoopla said.

The value of homes sold in 2021 is projected to reach £461 billion, up by 46 per cent or £145 billion.

The website said that, with average annual transactions rarely exceeding one million to 1.2 million per year over the past decade, this would mark the highest sales figures since 2007.

The stamp duty holiday in England and Northern Ireland and its subsequent extension has provided an added impetus for many people to purchase a home, its report said.

It said the hottest sales markets currently include Yorkshire and the Humber, Wales and the north west of England - particularly Liverpool, Manchester, Wigan and Burnley.

Some areas are bucking the trend, with properties in inner London taking nearly two weeks longer to go under offer typically compared with 2020.

The website said that overall, 2021 is projected to be among the 10 busiest years since 1959.