Transactions bounced back strongly for first time buyers in the second half of 2020 despite a 10.0% rise in house prices.

Rapid start to the year as buyer demand increases 13% across all regions and new house prices highs despite the third lockdown.

Research from Halifax reveals the UK house price growth winners in 2020 is Islington in London with values 13.4% up last year.

Strong demand from affluent home movers has boosted the total value of sales agreed by 26% in 2020 compared to the previous year.

Rightmove has forecast average asking prices rising 4% across the UK in 2021 as people place housing ahead of economic uncertainty.

For the month of November a survey from Halifax showed 14% of households believe the value of their homes has increased.

Demand for housing is a third higher than a year ago although it has been slowing since the start of the stamp duty holiday.

There are 50% more sales of properties in the pipeline with house prices at a two-and-a-half-year high helped by the stamp duty holiday.

The top ten most expensive streets in Britain are all in London with Kensington Palace Gardens costing the most and averaging £35m.

Demand for property from new buyers entering the market has maintained pressure on house prices rising 2.6% for the year.

Second steppers looking for larger homes are driving the price of three and four bedroom properties to new record high prices.

Property prices for first time buyers in London rise by 98% over the decade and deposits are more than double the national average.