Two new sets of figures suggest the housing market is shrugging off pre-election uncertainty and now has "a spring in its step".
The average UK property increased 0.9% in March and 5.6% year-on-year to a record high of £206,726, according to new research from estate agency chain haart.
It reported that UK new buyer demand surged 22% in March as election uncertainty failed to dampen spirits. And there was a 27% increase in the number of homes for sale.
And although London has slowed lately with prices actually falling in February, they increased 0.3% in March and 6.7% year-on-year.
Paul Smith, chief executive at haart, the UK's largest independent estate agent, said: "Our advice to buyers and sellers has been to enter the property market before heading to the ballot box in May, if they are considering doing so this year.
"History tells us property prices tend to take a swing upward after a general election and even for those current homeowners upsizing, the increase in price on their new home will be greater than any gains made through sitting tight in their current property.
"Our latest data indicates that prospective buyers and sellers have put their ducks in a row and are entering the market in high levels this spring, undeterred by the whispers of market uncertainty.
"London house price growth has slowed but on average prices are still up on an annual basis in March, driven by unrelenting high demand, with 19 buyers still registered for each new property for sale in the capital."
Latest statistics from Rightmove showed new sellers' asking prices increased by £4,381 month-on month in April to an average £286,133 across England and Wales.
Rightmove recorded its busiest ever month in March, although it reported that newly-marketed property numbers this year are down by 4%.
Jeremy Duncombe, director, Legal & General Mortgage Club and Housing, said: "Although house prices are rising at a reduced pace compared to last year, demand is continuing to outpace supply as the number of new sellers is down compared to last year.
"This has pushed the average asking price to a record high in April."
Duncombe welcomed slowing house price growth. "But prices are still rising far beyond the level of inflation which is pricing many people out of the market."
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