A glut of properties on the Macclesfield market show homeowners are finally taking the plunge, according to estate agents.

Experts credit lots of factors for the selling boom – but say many people just feel that now is the right time to move.

Other explanations include pre-election housing policy jitters, fears of a 'double dip' recession, over-pricing - and simple optimism.

Andrew Hart, director of Michael Hart & Co, in Bollington, Macclesifeld and Poynton, said he has the most houses on his books since the market peaked in 2007.

He said: "There are a lot of houses for sale at the moment. "It has been a pretty rotten winter, and before that the economy slump meant people just weren't selling. But now the weather has improved and people who have been waiting around for prices to improve are just taking the plunge.”

Demand from buyers has stabilised since the housing boom of 2007, which was followed by a drop in prices. But over the past year average house prices have increased across Macclesfield.

From March 2009 to March 2010 the average cost of a home steadily rose from £149,417 to £154,648.

Edward Naden, of Holmes-Naden, in Prestbury, said: “There seems to be a lot more optimism. The housing market has been on hold for the past two years and people are thinking it's time to move on with their lives.

“A combination of factors can be put down to the boom in houses on the market from people downsizing, people moving out of the area, families expanding and wanting a bigger home. There is no one reason.

Jean Pilkington, sales manager at Savills, said she had seen a huge increase in residents in the Golden Triangle putting their homes on the market – and said some were trying to sell pre-election for fear of housing policy changes.

Matt Rowland, regional operations director at Reeds Rains, says he has noticed an increase in properties on the market - but warned residents to remain realistic as there might not be so many buyers.

He said: "I think a lot of estate agents are advising their clients that their houses are worth more than they actually are which means people aren't buying. Many buyers are also waiting until after the election to see if there is a change in housing policy. Getting mortgages is also a lot more difficult now.  I wouldn't say this means there is a sudden huge recovery, although there seems to be a slow and steady improvement.  So my message really is for people to be realistic with pricing - that will keep the property market moving for everybody."