The stamp duty holiday, which came to an end on December 31st 2009, caused a rush in the number of first-time buyers (FTBs) seeking property around the UK, potentially including Bristol.
This is according to figures produced by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), which showed that December saw a total of 24,900 home loans awarded to such purchasers, which was the highest number in two years.
Meanwhile, the total amount awarded to FTBs in December was £2.9 billion, which was a rise of 26 per cent on November.
It was also revealed that 55 per cent of house purchases were for properties worth less than £175,000, meaning they were exempt from stamp duty.
The CML claimed that this indicates that there was a rush to complete sales before the tax holiday - which was introduced by the government to stimulate the ailing property market following the credit crunch - came to an end.
