Halifax warning on house prices

Average prices are down 0.9% since July this year to £159,947, although on an annualised basis prices are still up 16.8% because of gains made in the first half of 2004. The latest monthly slip has been smaller than seen in August and October, which suggests “that a measured slowdown may be under way,” the lender says. The number of loans approved fell for a firth straight month to 83,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis, while the number of first time buyer inquiries fell for the sixth straight month, according toRoyal Institute of Chartered Surveyor figures quoted by Halifax. Howev...