This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/mar/06/house-prices-small-rise-february-halifax
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| House prices show small rise in February, says Halifax | House prices show small rise in February, says Halifax |
| (2 days later) | |
| House prices continued their slow ascent in February, showing a modest monthly increase of 0.5%, according to the Halifax. | House prices continued their slow ascent in February, showing a modest monthly increase of 0.5%, according to the Halifax. |
| This contributed to both a quarterly and annual price rise of 1.9%, the lender said, bringing the price of the average UK house to £163,600. | This contributed to both a quarterly and annual price rise of 1.9%, the lender said, bringing the price of the average UK house to £163,600. |
| "House sales also continue on a modest upward trend," Martin Ellis, housing economist for the Halifax, said. "This increase in both prices and activity in recent months is consistent with evidence of some improvement in market conditions. | "House sales also continue on a modest upward trend," Martin Ellis, housing economist for the Halifax, said. "This increase in both prices and activity in recent months is consistent with evidence of some improvement in market conditions. |
| "The more than half-a-million increase in the number of people in employment over the past year is likely to have been a factor supporting housing demand." | "The more than half-a-million increase in the number of people in employment over the past year is likely to have been a factor supporting housing demand." |
| The headline figures hide a mixed picture, however, as the number of mortgage approvals for house purchases – a leading indicator of completed house sales – fell by 2% between December 2012 and January 2013, according to the Bank of England. | The headline figures hide a mixed picture, however, as the number of mortgage approvals for house purchases – a leading indicator of completed house sales – fell by 2% between December 2012 and January 2013, according to the Bank of England. |
| "'It is worth remembering that national averages also conceal significant regional differences, with prices falling in parts of the country while rising in others. The north-south divide grows ever wider," said Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients. | "'It is worth remembering that national averages also conceal significant regional differences, with prices falling in parts of the country while rising in others. The north-south divide grows ever wider," said Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients. |
| The Halifax figures are broadly in line with those released by Halifax's rival lender Nationwide last week. It said house prices crept up 0.2% in February, the fifth successive month without a fall. Its quarterly figure showed an annual increase of 0.6%. | The Halifax figures are broadly in line with those released by Halifax's rival lender Nationwide last week. It said house prices crept up 0.2% in February, the fifth successive month without a fall. Its quarterly figure showed an annual increase of 0.6%. |
| There is some evidence that the Funding for Lending scheme, launched in August 2012 to encourage banks and building societies to lend, has now brought down mortgage rates even for those with small deposits and that this is improving the prospects for some would-be homewoners. | There is some evidence that the Funding for Lending scheme, launched in August 2012 to encourage banks and building societies to lend, has now brought down mortgage rates even for those with small deposits and that this is improving the prospects for some would-be homewoners. |
| Top mortgages | Top mortgages |
| Chelsea Building Society | Chelsea Building Society |
| HSBC | HSBC |
| Nationwide | Nationwide |
| Provided by London & Country for the Guardian |