The Money Stop

House prices in the UK rose by 9.9 per cent throughout 2006, according to the Halifax bank.

A report carried out by the bank shows that price inflation on properties in the country increased during the last 12 months.

Despite the overall rise, Halifax said that prices fell by one per cent in December, with some industry figures hopeful of a slowing down in the market.

“It remains too early to conclude that this indicates a genuine slowdown in the housing market,” said Halifax’s chief economist Martin Ellis.

“Overall, prices in the final quarter of 2006 were 4.2 per cent higher than in the previous quarter, marking the strongest quarterly rise since 2004 quarter two.”

Northern Ireland saw the biggest increases during 2006, with the average house price rising by 53 per cent.

Halifax’s report is based on figures from its own lending to customers but falls in line with other major lenders’ results.

Nationwide recently published a report into 2006 house prices and put the rate of inflation at 10.5 per cent.

Although Halifax says factors such as economic growth, rising employment and lack of supply will drive up house prices, the bank expects to see a slowdown in the coming year.

“Higher interest rates, greater pressure on household finances and subdued real earnings growth will… constrain housing demand,” said Mr Ellis. “We expect house prices to increase by four per cent in 2007.”

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