06/11/2001

Halifax survey heralds fall in house prices

It has been revealed that house prices in the UK have fallen by 0.5 per cent in October in what is being heralded as the first signs of a slowdown in the UK property market.

The latest survey from the Halifax reports that house prices have fallen for the first time in almost twelve months, and the company’s chief economist, Martin Ellis, has described the news as indicating “a clear downward shift in the underlying trend”.

Mr Ellis said: "This is consistent with reports from estate agents and house-builders and the latest market figures on the number of mortgage approvals, which all show signs of a slowdown in housing market activity."

While the present drop in house prices is lower than the figure recorded for the same period in 2000, it is inevitable that the market will respond to the wider economic picture of the moment, following the downturn in the wake of the events of 11 September.

The Halifax figures also correspond to an survey recently published by the Nationwide, which also reported a fall of around 0.5 per cent in market prices. (CL)

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