Market maintains momentum

The figures also show the average price for first time buyers was £126,803. The index is to undergo a quality audit with a view to it becoming a national statistic next year. Figures from the Halifax and Nationwide showed average prices in the UK up 14.1% and 15.2% respectively for the month of November. Alex Bannister, group economist at Nationwide, said: 'The housing market looks set to finish 2003 on a strong note and carry over much of the momentum into the early part of next year. Given the likelihood of a positive start to the year we expect prices to rise by 9% in 2004. Price gro...