haart, the estate agency, has revealed that its sales over Christmas increased by 100 per cent when compared with 2004.

haart, the estate agency, has revealed that its sales over Christmas increased by 100 per cent when compared with 2004.

It also states that it expects house prices to increase by five per cent during 2006, a figure that is two per cent higher than the Halifax has forecast for the full year.

haart, which is part of Spicerhaart, a retail financial services company, stated that it expects to see a continuation of the Christmas trend, with 2006 seeing a "flurry of activity".

Paul Smith, chief executive of haart, said: "We are seeing higher levels of activity, as confidence has started to return and buyers are realising that the market is not going to crash.

"There are also signs that first time buyers are coming back to the market."

Spicerhaart operates across Europe and owns a range of other high street firms. These include Felicity J Lord, Mortgages Direct, Spicer McColl and James Jardine.