Recent data has revealed that house prices in quarter 1 of 2018 were 2.8% greater than those recorded over the correspondent period last year.
According to the Halifax, this is up from the 1.8% yearly growth observed in February, with the average price standing at £227,871 last month.
However, the statistics did show that prices in the three months to March were 0.1% below that of three month period prior. In terms of this particular measure, this marks the second consecutive fall.
Month on month, March prices saw an uplift of 1.5%, up from the 0.5% growth observed in February.
Commenting on the figures was the Managing Director of Halifax, Russell Galley. He said: “House prices in the three months to March were largely unchanged compared with the previous quarter. The annual rate of growth continues to be in a narrow range of under 3%; though the average price of £227,871 is a new high.
“Activity levels, like house price growth, have softened compared with a year ago. Mortgage approvals are down compared to 12 months ago, whilst home sales have remained flat in the early months of the year. This lack of direction in the housing market is in stark contrast to the continuing strength of the UK jobs market. The unemployment rate is now the joint lowest since 1975 and in the three months to January there were 402,000 more people in work compared to a year earlier.
“In the coming months we expect price growth to remain close to our prediction of 3% despite the very positive factors of continuing low mortgage rates, great affordability levels and a robust labour market. The continuing shortage of properties for sale will also support price growth.”
