Among the first to show signs of recovery- House sales to hit 1m in six-year high

First-time buyers and buy-to-let investors are driving the market revival.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders said first-time buyer transactions were “among the first to show signs of recovery”.

About 270,000 house sales are expected to involve those taking their first step on the property ladder, marking a 40 per cent rise on 2009.

The number of buy-to-lets is set to increase by 80 per cent compared with four years ago, with the total sales expected to reach 160,000.

Landlords are attracted by the strong demand and prospect of decent returns.

Cash buyers are also up with 370,000 transactions, 25 per cent higher than in 2009.