T HE housing market appears to be showing encouraging signs of growth with estate agents across North Staffordshire reporting an increase in viewings and sales last month.

This January has been busier than the same period last month although whether this is down to more consumer confidence is uncertain.

Louise Williams-Nixon, pictured, director at the family-run Bramptons estate agency, says: "The early signs this year are encouraging. We have been doing a lot more viewings over the last few weeks and although the ratio of viewings to transactions is still a bit low it is a very positive sign that people are coming back into the market place and we expect to see some offers resulting from these viewings.''

The sentiment seems pretty general across the area with other agents reporting a new year surge in interest and business.

Michael Sellers, sales manager and senior financial consultant for Your Move, says: "In January we arranged 344 viewings resulting in 32 sales being agreed. February is looking good already with high levels of viewings in the first few days so we expect another good sales month.''

Chris Stops, director of Heywoods, sold 30 houses last month against 25 a year ago. Mark Cook, who runs Austerberry's Newcastle office, says he is doing strong business too. He says: "Last week we sold four properties and one of them, in Victoria Street, went within three days of it being advertised. There is no question that buyers are returning. We are being very provocative, which helps, but there is definitely a better environment at the moment.''

Rob Hassall, head of new business at Hanley Economic Building Society, adds: "Our data backs up the reports from the agents. Our appointments are up 33 per cent year on year and the industry is definitely getting back to business. In January the value of the enquiries we had was £10 million, up on last year, and we expect to see the vast majority of that converted into mortgages later on.

"I think there is a combination of factors. The better weather has probably helped, but also people realise that it is a buyer's market and I don't think that mortgages are going to get any cheaper than they are today. There might be a bit of competition which adjust figures slightly here and there, but by and large they won't go much lower.''

He also says that first time buyers going to HEBS for advice are setting their sights and budgets higher than before. Rob says: "It is interesting that they are turning towards semis and terraces rather than flats or apartments. In the doom years it was a flat or nothing but now they are thinking that a flat will cost £70,000 and a semi £90,000 but for that extra £20,000 they are getting a lot more space.''

Last weekend was the 11th that the Hanley has topped the Sunday Mail's Best Buy mortgage guide with its 3.24 per cent, two year fixed and 80 per cent loan to value product.