House sales in December have exceeded expectations, with a 17% increase in new sales agreed this month compared to the same time last year, according to Zoopla data. 

According to the latest Zoopla house price index, buyer demand is 19% higher than this time last year, when higher mortgage rates were impacting overall market activity. 

The index states that an increase in available supply of homes for sale is boosting choice and increasing sales as buyers and sellers are becoming more aligned on pricing.