Dorset’s best-known estate agent has reported a bounce in activity after seeing a 17 per cent increase in year-on-year residential sales last month.

Goadsby, the largest independent estate agent in the area covering Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, sold more than £50m worth of property in January across its 23 residential offices.

The average selling price was just over £300,000.

Property changing hands ranged from a one bedroom first time buyer flat at £150,000 to a luxury apartment in excess of £600,000 and a character family home in Swanage, with excellent views, at nearly £1m as well as everything inbetween.

Nigel Price, Chairman of Goadsby Residential, said: “The overall market was very subdued during 2019.

“We were hopeful that, with the outcome of the General Election and Brexit being resolved, the market would see an increase in activity.

“This certainly seems to be happening.”

The family home in Swanage which was sold for nearly £1m.

Mr Price said he was optimistic that the promising start to the year would continue.

He added: “With interest rates historically low, full employment, low inflation and the continued availability of Help to Buy on new homes, we envisage that the residential market should continue this year in the way that it has started.

“With all this activity we are starting to see a shortage of certain properties so if you are considering selling we would suggest placing on the market as soon as possible.”

Goadsby, which was established in 1958, employs more than 220 staff covering Residential Sales, Lettings, Commercial Agency and Professional Services.