Wading through the statistics
House prices fell by 0.5 per cent in August, continuing the gradual downward trend of the past 12 months, according to the latest Halifax house price index. The average house in the UK is now valued at £161,132. This means that house prices have risen by 0.1 per cent over the past three months but fallen by 2.3 per cent when comparing the three months to September 2010 with the three months to September 2011.
Howard Archer, Chief UK & European Economist for IHS Global Insight said: “The further fall in house prices reported by the Halifax in September ties in with our belief that house...
If you’re looking to buy a new-build home, there are certainly plenty of advantages. They tend to be more energy-efficient than older properties, they may include the latest fixtures and fittings and, of course, they’re chain-free, allowing for a quicker purchase. Many
When looking for a new-build house, check that any builders you come across are members of the National House-Building Council (NHBC). Members of the NHBC must maintain the building standards and rules set by the Council and should give you confidence that the property is built to a high quality. The NHBC will inspect the property to check that standards are being maintained during construction.