Date issued: 28 Feb 2006

DOUBTS CAST ON RECENT STRENGTH OF THE HOUSING MARKET

• House prices fell back by 0.2% following a very strong rise in January
• Trend over last 6 months still strong, making interest rate cuts less likely in the short term
• Traditionally buyers return back into the market in the spring but weak economic factors make this look less likely this year

Headlines	February 2006	January 2006
Monthly index* Q1 '93 = 100	320.8	321.3
Monthly change*	-0.2%	1.5%
Annual change	3.7%	4.4%
Average price	£158,573	£158,478

*seasonally adjusted

For further information please see this month's full report (PDF - 44KB)