Halifax

An increase in house prices last month following successive declines over both May and June is typical of a stable market, claims the Halifax.

Inheritance tax (IHT) revenue hit a record £1.7bn in first half of 2006, up £200m or 13% from the first half of 2005, according to figures produced by high street bank Halifax.

House prices fell by 1.2% in June, according to the latest data from the Halifax.

House prices rmeained virtually static last month increasing by a mere 0.1% in May, the smallest monthly rise since January's 0.2% fall according to the latest figures from the Halifax.

Home improvements should be targeted at areas where the value added to the property is greater than the cost of the project, with loft conversions working out at better value than loft insulation, claims research by Halifax.

Annual house price inflation could be as much as 8% this year - its highest level since March 2005 - according to the latest Halifax House Price Index.

Halifax has launched a new website which aims to give first time buyers information and advice about getting onto the housing ladder.

Halifax has announced the launch of a new improved website for mortgage intermediaries.

Around 1.5 million homes are currently valued at more than the 2006/07 inheritance tax (IHT) threshold of £285,000, with the number set to triple in the next 14 years, according to research from Halifax.

Ahead of today's Budget, Halifax has joined in calling for the Government to index the Inheritance Tax (IHT) threshold to house prices.