A total of 81 properties found buyers in February 2009, while 175 sales were completed during the second month this time around.

Average prices are also up — from £124,212 last February to £127,135 this, though they remain some way down on the average of £138,800 for the whole of 2009.

But it’s not all good news for sellers — while bungalows and semi-detached villas are commanding higher prices, the value of detached homes and flats seems to have slipped.

Lynne Hill of TSPC said, “The start of last year was just abysmal — the market had just hit rock bottom because people were so worried.

“Normally January, February and even into March are slow, but this year we’ve hit the ground running and it’s been a very, very good start.”

The figures reveal that an average flat now costs £85,900 — down around £3000 from last February and by as much as £20,000 or more on what they were making in late summer.

On the other hand, the average price for a semi-detached villa was £128,800 — a rise of more than 60 per cent on the same figure at this time last year.

Semi detached bungalows were also popular — up 27 per cent to £142,400 — while detached bungalows saw a more modest rise of 8 per cent to an average of £180,800.

Detached houses slipped in value slightly, from an average of £229,700 in February 2009 to £227,700 last month. The 2010 average was £241,900.

Ms Hill said semis and bungalows were popular with first-time buyers now that mortgage deals are more easily available following last year’s slump in lending.

“A lot of the sales are to first-time buyers and semi-detached properties are good starting properties,” she said.

“Folk are getting a good deal on them so maybe they are looking for these less than flats.

“There are a lot more mortgages around than there were last year. They’re out there — you just have to find them.”

She added, “As long as sellers are being realistic with their prices and are not expecting huge leaps then there are buyers.”