Since the credit crunch became part of our lives, the usual rules of the housing market have turned upside down. Traditionally, people look for their new homes in spring and autumn and now, with Christmas on the horizon, they would be devoting their time and energy to shopping. Not this year. Christmas is only 14 days away, but the property market continues to be very active.

Strutt & Parker reports that its figures for November show nationwide activity, in terms of the number of properties sold, over 110 per cent up in comparison with November last year. Additionally, they also show an increase of 12 per cent over the previous month, October 2009, so a genuinely upward trend, rather than November 2009 simply showing an increase over an abnormally slow, 'post-Lehmans' November 2008.

What also makes November encouraging to the property industry is that the number of new applicants registering as prospective buyers remains very healthy.

With stock levels remaining low, and strong levels of demand from buyers, Michael Fiddes, Head of Agency at Strutt & Parker, remarks: "I admit to a certain amount of surprise at the continuing activity through December which is traditionally a slow time of year. It is unusual to see such activity so close to Christmas. What it clearly indicates is that there is every reason for sellers to go early in 2010. Deals continue to be done; we are seeing a number of would-be buyers keen to find their new home, frustrated by the lack of supply. It is likely to pay dividends to get to the market soon."