House prices continue rising - Halifax

According to the lender's findings, property prices increased by 2.2% in May, crushing any prediction of a near market collapse. The national average house price now stands at £157,849 - almost £3,500 more than what someone would have had to pay for a property in April. Strong housing demand and the lack of properties coming onto the market are both pacing the upward trend, the survey says. Martin Ellis, Halifax chief economist, says the latest rise confirms the "ongoing strength of the housing market". "The market has remained very strong in northern England and Wales so far th...