According to the portal, very early signs of activity are continuing to grow during the new lockdowns in England and Scotland, with over six million daily visits registered on Tuesday and Wednesday and an 11% surge in buyer enquiries. Those inquiring about a property to rent is up by 22%.
Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s Director of Property Data, comments: "January is usually one of our busiest months of the year as people start to make new year plans to move, as was the case at the start of last year when we also had the post-election bounce that gave hope of an active spring market, before that all changed with the temporary closure from March until May. We didn’t know how this year would start with so much change and uncertainty around restrictions, but it’s been reassuring for those people hoping or needing to move that the demand we’ve seen so far is the highest we’ve ever had in January.
"The housing market has been allowed to stay open during these latest lockdowns and agents have already spent months working in a covid-secure way and creating a number of property videos, so buyers and renters starting out on their search this year will find that, alongside the safe viewing protocols, more agents are offering virtual viewings to help buyers and renters better shortlist the properties they want to go and see."
