"Halifax's figures for December bear little resemblance to market at the end of last year. Four interest rate rises during 2004 and continued scaremongering about the state of the market combined to create anxiety for buyers and sellers, forcing activity levels down. Many decided to take an early Christmas break from the housing market during December and wait until the New Year. This has been reflected in a surge in activity in the last week with many of our offices across the country reporting a significant increase in enquiry levels compared with last month. Having taken time out to see what happens to the market, our customers are now keen to get moving."
