Registrations for conveyancing services soared by 74% in the first two weeks of January compared to the same time last year, search data from Reallymoving reveals.

The website looked at the number of price comparison searches conveyancing, surveys, removals and other related home-moving services from the 1-15 January this year and last and found a 58% increase year on year.

But within the overall search figures, it found the number of registrations specifically for conveyancing quotes was 74% higher, a key indicator of buyers with a serious intent to move.

This suggests buyers are pushing forward with plans that were paused or delayed towards the end of last year.

Reallymoving says that now that the Autumn Budget has provided greater certainty around taxation and following December’s Bank of England base rate cut, home movers appear to be more decisive and ready to act.

First-time buyers tend to be particularly proactive in their New Year house hunting, accounting for nearly 59% of all conveyancing registrations on the website in early January.

Upsizers accounted for 18% of searches, while downsizers represented just 4% of all movers in the market.

With agents reporting that larger, higher-value homes are taking longer to sell and subject to fiercer price negotiation, downsizers appear to be sitting tight for now in the hope the market will strengthen in time and they can maximise the value of their home, the website says.

Founder and chief executive Rob Houghton says: “Rather than signalling a broad resurgence in market confidence, the figures indicate that pent-up demand from the autumn is now feeding through.

“This goes well beyond the casual browsing of property portals.

“These are committed movers taking purposeful steps to progress a transaction.

“Conveyancing registrations in particular show that buyers and sellers are lining up professional services now they have more certainty, rather than waiting until spring.

“For many movers it isn’t about timing the market perfectly, it’s about life circumstances.

“Needs-based moves to accommodate a new job or a growing family can only be put off for so long.”

Despite continued affordability challenges, the availability of cheaper mortgage deals and a desire to secure discounts while it remains a buyer’s market has spurred many first-time buyers into action, he says.

Houghton adds: “The data suggests downsizers are delaying moves until they feel confident they can achieve good value for their existing home.

“Many will be relying on the lump sum generated by the sale to help fund retirement. For them it’s a once-in-a-lifetime equity event and the timing is key.”