06/04/2006

Halifax reports house price rises

House prices increased by 0.9% last month, according to the latest figures from the Halifax.

The bank also said that the annual rate of house price inflation increased to 6.2%.

The increases take the average cost of a property in Britain today to over £175,000 for the first time.

However, the Halifax warned that there were signs that the housing market was beginning to level off.

Martin Ellis, Halifax chief economist, said: "The weakening in the labour market, the continuing high level of house prices in relation to earnings and pressure on householders; finances from the recent hikes in utility and council tax bills are all expected to curb demand."

Halifax said that it expects average property prices to rise by just 3% during 2006.

(KMcA)


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