BURY’S property market is said to be bouncing back and ‘looking strong’ following the coronavirus lockdown, according to estate agents.

Summerseat, Hawkshaw, Tottington, Lowercroft, Greenmount, Ramsbottom and Prestwich are all reported to be among hotspots of sales and interest.

Would-be-sellers are also being advised to use the lockdown to help boost the value of their properties with renovations.

One property team at Bury-based law firm Clough and Willis has reported a ‘sizeable upturn’ in new enquiries, which it says are approaching pre-Covid-19 levels.

Lorraine Stratton-Webb, head of property at Clough & Willis, said: “The past few months have been tough for the residential conveyancing sector, but things are looking much brighter.

“We have seen a big upturn in new enquiries, whilst matters that were on hold are now starting to proceed at full steam.

“There has also been a real impetus from buyers and sellers who want to get transactions across the line.

“Confidence is there along with a determination to get moving.”

In the south of the borough, Brett Howarth, an estate agent for Yopa, said the firm had sold five properties in Prestwich over the past two weeks.

All of these were said to have sold for over the asking price.

Mr Howarth said: “Prestwich is a particularly sought-after area thanks to the high quality local schools and the investment that has been pumped into Prestwich Village, with its trendy bars and restaurants.

“People just love the M25 postcode.”

Prestwich is said to be particularly popular among young professional commuters, thanks to its location and transport links.

Mr Howarth added: “At just a 12-minute drive to Manchester city centre and two good local Metrolink stops, I have over 100 applicants looking in the area.

“At the moment properties just aren’t staying on the market for more than 14 days ­— the demand is incredible.”

To help make their properties even more marketable, Mr Howarth says householders should also consider making a few simple upgrades.

He added: “At Yopa, we estimate that simply improving your property’s ‘kerb appeal’ with a freshly painted exterior, clean windows, clear gutters, a tidy driveway and a freshly painted front door can boost the value of a property by up to 10 per cent.

“First impressions count, and the outside of your property is the first thing potential buyers will see, both when browsing online and in person at a viewing.”

The level of sales and interest in properties in Prestwich and across the borough is said to be bucking the trend predicted by " gloomy property market price predictions following the lockdown and subsequent economic downturn", according to Yopa.

Clough & Willis has also reported that high value land deals, as well as transactions involving empty and 'investment properties', have additionally remained buoyant in recent weeks.

This return to a more burgeoning housing market has further been boosted by many previously furloughed solicitors, and others in the property industry, getting back to work after lockdown, the firm said.