An increasing number of households rushed to sell their property ahead of the coming general election, the Royal Institute of Chartered surveyors (RICS) reported.

As per RICS the number of sellers out weighed buyers as the house owners seemed in a hurry to strike deals before the general elections. Spokesperson of RICS, Ian Perry, reported that the growing uncertainty over the post election political climate made the house owners to put their property on sale before the election.

However, RICS further reported that excessive number of sellers as compared to buyers also resulted a price fall. Nevertheless, some surveyors believed that prices would stabilize within the next few months.

Meanwhile, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported a 6.6 per cent rise in high street sales in last month as compared to the year-ago period. They said that Easter played an important role in price rise. As per the survey conducted by the leading lender, it was found that this year's cold winter caused a dip in prices. But reinforcement of old stamp duty again helped the prices to shoot up again.

Halifax data showed a price increase of 5.2 per cent; where as rival Nationwide indicated a rise of seven per cent.