The number of prospective homebuyers registering their interest with the agent was 92% higher at the start of tis October than a year ago.

First-time buyer registrations were up 82.9% in London compared to October 2012, while the rest of the UK experienced a 74.3% rise.

The average age of a first-time buyer also dropped below 32 for the first time since April 2012.

Haart chief executive Paul Smith urged potential sellers to make their move before the New Year:

“Second-steppers, who provide the majority of homes for first-time buyers, are finding that their properties are snapped up quickly and at a very good price.”

Sponsored

He said the first-time buyer comeback shows no sign of abating:

“This is the message sellers need to hear, to oil the market sooner rather than later and to keep a lid on rising prices.”

The average first-time buyer house price in October 2013 was £152,593 – an increase of 3.2% on the previous month and 6.1% higher than the same time last year. The average size of mortgage acquired by first-time buyers also rose 5.5%.

First-time buyers accounted for 43% of all mortgages written. Signs of a buoyant property market in October have previously been identified by the Rightmove house price index, which suggested London asking prices leapt 10.2% in a month.

Rightmove director Miles Shipside said there was a “buying frenzy” in some parts of the capital.