January was the busiest month ever for Rightmove, the online agency reported this week.

The number of hits on the website in the first month of the new year soared to over 141 million, while the total time spent looking for a dream home was 1.1 billion minutes.

The overall average price for properties sold in Bucks last year after being showcased on Rightmove was £416,384, an increase of seven per cent on 2016 and 14 per cent above the average in 2015.

The typical price paid in 2017 was on a par with the average in Oxfordshire (£407,135) and Berkshire (£427,150) but cheaper than the typical price in Surrey (£531,482). Chesham Bois was the priciest area in Bucks (average: £1,075,550), least expensive was Wolverton in the north of the county (£228,779). 

Here are the market summaries for five towns in South Bucks including price comparisons with nearby towns where you can get more house for your money:

High Wycombe:
Overall average of £340,266 was similar to nearby Loudwater (£327,324) but cheaper than Tylers Green (£561,257) and Hazlemere (£477,802).
Last year’s average was five per cent up on 2016 but a whopping 19 per cent up on 2016.
Highest number of sales during 2017: flats. Average price paid: £230,935.
Semis: average price: £363,829. Terraced: £337,717.

Beaconsfield:
Overall average of £1,029,092 was more expensive than nearby Wooburn Green (£438,182), Seer Green (£830,108) and Loudwater (see above).
Last year’s average was 16 per cent up on 2016 and five per cent up on 2015.
Majority of sales: detached houses. Average price: £1,448,519. Semis: average £656,750. Flats: £546,542
Marlow:
Overall average £658,166 was more expensive than Lane End (£497,441), Bourne End (£582,240) and Wycombe.
Last year’s average was seven per cent up on 2016 and 14 per cent higher than 2015.
Majority of sales: Detached houses Average price: £949,742. Semis: average £618,280, terraced: £504,183

Amersham:
Overall average £690,045 was more expensive than nearby Chesham (£436,323) but cheaper than Chesham Bois (£1,075,550, the priciest area in Bucks) and also Little Chalfont (£827,335).
Last year’s average was 13 per cent up on 2016 and a hair-raising 30 per cent up on 2015 when the typical price paid for a home in the town was £530,736.
Highest number of sales: detached (average: £1,074,523). Semis: £566,995. Flats: £323,532.

Princes Risborough:
Overall average £473,601 was similar to Prestwood (£489,437) but more expensive than nearby Wendover (£445,585) and cheaper than Naphill (£591,222).
Last year’s average was 12 per cent up on 2016 and 13 per cent up on 2015.
Highest number of sales: semis (average £418,575). Detached: £685,828. Flats: £264,305.