Official figures now point out that the housing market hit a three-year high in March. But then again I didn’t really need any official figures to tell me that.

The level of activity has increased significantly over the last year. The higher number of viewings, offers and sales is there for all to see. Inevitably the number of properties for sale on the market is dwindling. And that means that pressure on buyers is growing.

‘He who hesitates is lost’, so the old saying goes, and it is very true at the moment that would-be buyers who hesitate instead of making an offer are increasingly finding that they are too late – the property has been bought by someone else. There is certainly a degree of competition evident amongst buyers for the more appealing properties on the market.

A little bit like the prolonged winter weather that we experienced in the first 3 months of this year finally coming to an end, at long last the property market is beginning to thaw out and warm up a little - and not before time. But in terms of both climate and housing market, we are still a long way from any talk of a ‘barbecue summer’. This increased activity is by no means across the board and we are a long way from repairing all the damage of the past seven years. But it is at least a good start.

Can we sustain this improvement? That is all down to the economy, jobs, interest rates and in the main, decisions made by other people in other countries. Last spring started the same way, and from my own perspective 2012 went on to produce the best sales volumes since 2007. These are genuine green shoots and I expect 2013 to be an equally busy year.

The recent death of Margaret Thatcher reminds those of us who lived through the 1980s of her decade in power. For some people it was a time of depression, anger and protest - but for others it was a time of growth, new opportunities, greater optimism and personal aspiration. Above all it was a time of great social change and, for many people, upwards mobility.

For those who were referred to as the ‘aspirational working classes’, Mrs Thatcher made the idea of property ownership both attractive and accessible for the first time. Say what you will about the Iron Lady – and most have a lot to say about her – she did change this country’s attitude to home ownership for ever.

But the past is another country. We must always look forward. Who’s to say that this latest surge in activity will not be the kick-start we need now? Spring is here at last. Other buyers are out there eagerly looking at property. My advice is not to rely on browsing the usual property websites. By then it could be too late. If you’ve seen that property online, a hundred thousand other people will also have seen it. The best way of finding the right property is by personally registering your requirements with a good estate agent. It’s still the best way to get ahead of the rest – just like they did in the ‘80s!