Extra sales prior to the introduction of changes to stamp duty in April far exceeded the shortfall afterwards, an analysis of housing market data by Savills shows.
HM Revenue and Customs figures for March showed sales totalled 171,370, 64% higher than the average over the preceding six months.
Cash buyers were responsible for 73,370 of the transactions, up from 36,628 previously. Mortgaged buy-to-let investors also accounted for a large part of the increase.
