Halifax House Price Index – April 06 |
Halifax have recently announced that house prices rose by 2.0% in April, and by a total of 4.4% in the first four months of 2006.
The annualised rate at 8% is the highest for 13 months. This is due to figures from last year being particularly weak. It also states that housing market activity has risen – currently 15% higher than this time last year.
Chief Economist at Halifax, Martin Ellis, added “Whilst the market may remain relatively buoyant over the coming few months, we expect the recent softening in the labour market and the continuing high level of house prices in relation to earnings to curb demand. Alongside higher utility and council tax bills, these factors should lead house price growth to moderate in the second half of 2006.”
The results from Halifax are somewhat surprising given that Nationwide have recently released data showing house price inflation is slowing.
