First-time buyers prospects rebound - Hometrack

Latest figures by the estate agency group suggest prices rose by 0.3% in January despite the month being a seasonally quiet one. The average property now stands at £147,200 – forcing prospective buyers to reach for another £400 compared with previous month. John Wriglesworth, housing economist at Hometrack, says: "The year has started positively for the housing market, with no sign that last year’s interest rises have adversely affected consumer confidence." Last month's rise was partly boosted by the numbers of first-time buyers entering the housing market - a trend which Hometra...