THE number of houses available on the market isn’t nearly enough to meet demand, according to a York estate agency.

William H Brown estate agency says that the number of properties available to buy must increase in 2014 to meet buyer demand.

The agency has recently seen a 20 per cent rise in the number of buyers registering an interest in purchasing a property, an increase which has not been mirrored by the number of properties on the market.

This will result in more buyers chasing every new property that comes on to the market, according to bosses at the firm.

Kevin Coundon, branch manager of William H Brown in York, said: “In 2014 we hope to see seller confidence taking significant strides forward in order to catch up with buyer demand.

“With so many buyers competing for each property, now is a great time to sell.”

Meanwhile, developers of a new housing estate in Easingwold have reported high levels of interest during the properties’ first week on the market.

Nearly 20 per cent of the homes at The Vale, aimed at first time buyers, growing families and retired couples, have been sold within seven days of sales opening.

Building work has not yet begun at the York Road site, but developer Persimmon Homes are heralding an early success.

Kevin Thubron, the company’s sales director in Yorkshire, said: “We have been thrilled with how quickly the homes are being snapped up – before a single brick has been laid.

“We expect demand to continue to be extremely high and feel this success confirms that we are building the right homes in the right place for the right price.”