ESTATE agents in South East Cornwall are urging property-owners who are considering selling their homes to cash in now – because the district is in the middle of a spring buying fever.

Current demand for property, particularly at the lower end of the market, is said to be far outweighing supply in reasonably priced one, two and three bedroom houses.

Properties coming up for sale are often being snapped up immediately. Mike Bettsworth, of Miller&Son, said the Liskeard market is especially active and houses from £40,000-80,000 are selling 'very, very quickly'.

He stressed the imbalance between supply and demand 'means prices are increasing at quite a large rate. For example, a property on the market in Liskeard 12 months ago at £46,000 is now commanding a price of £55,000-60,000'.

Scott Parry, Kivells' property manager in Liskeard, said there is such a strong demand for houses at present, especially among cheaper homes, that it is 'very, very frustrating' there is not enough property to offer prospective buyers - a mix of local first time buyers, and people from outside Cornwall wishing to purchase holiday homes. He said if anyone does want to sell at the moment they may find they receive a premium price for their property.

Quite a buoyant Easter was predicted by Ellie Stoyan, manager of Bradleys in Liskeard. She said there are many people currently wanting to buy, even at the top end of the market, at around £250,000, throughout the Liskeard and Callington area.

She felt there had been a constant supply of homes, but those which did come on the market were soon sold - and as a result now is a good time to move.

Hunt Associates in Saltash confirmed similar property experiences in the east of the district, especially among cheaper houses, as did Bradford and Bingley, which covers Looe, Polperro, Liskeard, Downderry and Seaton. Their spokesman said there were many first time buyers seeking a first home, but demand was across the board.

Sandra Entwistle, manager of Miller and Co at Callington, said the office had recently taken on a property for £75,950, which a client visited that evening and decided to buy. She added the need in Callington is for developments which include homes for first time buyers, as she said such is the present demand - and lack of properties on offer - that those wanting to get on the first rung of the property-owning ladder find the prospect difficult.

Steve Moir of Hennings Moir, of Saltash, warned if first time buyers track down a home they like they should put in a bid straight away - because if they don't it will be snapped up by someone else. To prove there is interest in higher-priced properties, however, just recently a £350,000 house was sold in two days.

Kittows of Callington have been finding there is demand across the price range, and in the last two or three weeks there has been a rise in the number of instructions.

Director, Lewis Bond, said spring was a good time to sell, with currently favourable interest rates, houses looking better in spring and early summer, and with the weather hopefully warming up. He added that when foot and mouth restrictions are eased it should also ensure houses - for sale in really rural areas - are snapped up at a speedier rate.