house prices

The peak to trough fall of house prices could hit 22% next year, according to housing and mortgage researcher Hometrack.

The latest Halifax House Price Index has revealed a 2.6% decline in November, with the average price now £163,605 - the same level as July 2005.

The average first time buyer had a deposit of 15% in July, up from 13% in June, bringing the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio down to the lowest level since the early 1980s, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).

A weak housing market continues to fuel a letting boom, as demand for rented accommodation in July grew by 76% year on year, according to Your Move.

First time buyers (FTBs) are slowly starting to return to the market as affordability improves and lenders reduce mortgage rates, according to Spicerhaart Financial Services.

Nationwide warns the UK is facing an increased risk of recession after noting a 1.7% fall in July house prices.

More than two million Britons have reviewed their pension plans in the past year due to tumbling property prices but a third of the working age population have no plans at all, according to Baring Asset Management.

House prices fell by 0.9% in June, less than half the 2.5% drop recorded in May, according to Nationwide.

Home owners are taking a record length of time to sell their houses, according to the latest gloomy house price survey, The Telegraph reports.

Britain's largest mortgage lender HBOS warned UK house prices will fall by as much as 9% this year.