Property demand drops by nearly a fifth

Rightmove points to some big potential changes in the post-pandemic property market, as many people "re-appraise their housing needs".

There was an average of 252 would-be buyers registered per estate agency branch in February, according to the NAEA. That's 18% fewer than a year ago, and 46% fewer than in 2016.

"Active engagement" with property listings has jumped to exceed pre-lockdown levels by some 20%, reports Zoopla - but more than four in ten would-be buyers say they have put moving plans on hold...