The house vendor's figure (5)

I believe the answer is:

seven

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'figure' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both quantities as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'the house vendor's' is the wordplay.
'SEVEN' is hidden in amongst the letters.
But, I'm not sure how the hidden word is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for seven that I've seen before include "So many ages of man (AYLI)" , "Number (of stars in the sky?)" , "VII" , "Numeral" , "Dwarfs or Wonders of the World?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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