Previously snowbound sellers return, leading to highest new property supply for 18 months.

First quarter of 2010 shows overall asking price gain of 3.7% (£8,151) despite distortions from severe weather.

The average house price in England and Wales climbed 0.1% from February to £229,614.

Rightmove sees potential first-time buyers still struggling to enter home-ownership.

The gain in the UK compares to the 1.3% average increase for March from 2002 to 2009, Rightmove said.

Asking price gains slowed from last month’s 3.2% improvement, the biggest since April 2007.

The Rightmove report shows asking prices rose 6.1% from a year earlier.

Story provided by Business Financial Newswire