House prices rose by 1.4% in November, the fifth consecutive month, according to the latest house price index from the Halifax.
The survey shows the average house price rose by 4.2% (£6,803) in the first eleven months of 2009. And prices over the period September to November were 3.7% higher than in the previous three months. This is the biggest increase on a three monthly basis since November 2006.
Prices have increased by 8.5% since reaching a trough in April 2009; an increase in the average price of £13,174. This follows a decline of 23% between August 2007 and April 2009. House prices in November were 1.6% lower on an annual basis. The annual rate of change (measured by the average for the latest three months against the same period a year earlier) has improved significantly from a low of -17.7% in April.
Commenting, Martin Ellis, housing economist, said: "House prices increased by 1.4% in November. This was the fifth successive monthly rise with prices more than 4% higher over the first eleven months of the year. The recovery in house prices since the spring has been driven by increased demand for property, largely due to the improvement in affordability for existing homeowners and first-time buyers who can raise the necessary deposit.
"Somewhat higher demand has combined with a low level of properties available for sale to push up prices. Further ahead, the prospects for the market will depend on how the UK economy evolves and whether there is a significant increase in the supply of properties for sale. Overall, our view is that house prices will be flat during 2010."
To receive house price alerts register today for the
MoneyMaker newsletter.
