Average asking price of property coming to market rises by relatively muted 1.0% (+£3,184) this month, the lowest monthly rate of increase at this time of year since 2010

Slowest sector is properties with two bedrooms or fewer with a 0.1% monthly price fall, a result of less active buy-to-let investor activity, giving first-time buyers an opportunity this autumn:

These properties see largest year-on-year increase in average number of days to sell, up from 55 days to 58 days

Mortgage approvals for new buy-to-let purchases down by 14% compared to a year ago and down by 53% compared to three years ago as more punitive tax regime has its desired effect

First-time buyers help to fill some of the gap left by lower buy-to-let activity with their year-on-year mortgage approvals up by 1%