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| January house prices 'rose 1.3%' | January house prices 'rose 1.3%' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| UK house prices are still rising strongly despite recent interest rate rises, according to the country's biggest mortgage lender, the Halifax. | UK house prices are still rising strongly despite recent interest rate rises, according to the country's biggest mortgage lender, the Halifax. |
| In its monthly survey, the Halifax reported that prices rose by 1.3% in January, keeping the annual rate of house price inflation at about 10%. | In its monthly survey, the Halifax reported that prices rose by 1.3% in January, keeping the annual rate of house price inflation at about 10%. |
| According to the Halifax, the average house price is now £188,623. | According to the Halifax, the average house price is now £188,623. |
| Meanwhile, the Land Registry said that houses prices in England and Wales fell slightly in the final quarter of 2006. | |
| Over the year, however, prices have risen by 8.5%, the Registry said in its last ever quarterly survey. | |
| Cooling factors | Cooling factors |
| Halifax has repeated its assertion that the market will cool during the course of 2007. | Halifax has repeated its assertion that the market will cool during the course of 2007. |
| Martin Ellis, chief economist at the Halifax, points to a number of factors providing a brake on housing demand. | Martin Ellis, chief economist at the Halifax, points to a number of factors providing a brake on housing demand. |
| "Negative real average earnings growth for only the second time in over 10 years, combined with higher interest rates and slower economic growth will squeeze householders' finances, causing potential homebuyers to be more cautious and constraining housing demand. | "Negative real average earnings growth for only the second time in over 10 years, combined with higher interest rates and slower economic growth will squeeze householders' finances, causing potential homebuyers to be more cautious and constraining housing demand. |
| "Accordingly, we predict that annual house price inflation will ease from 10% to 4% by the end of 2007, Mr Ellis said. | "Accordingly, we predict that annual house price inflation will ease from 10% to 4% by the end of 2007, Mr Ellis said. |
| There are early signs that Halifax's prediction may be coming true. | There are early signs that Halifax's prediction may be coming true. |
| In December, both new mortgage approvals and inquiries fell to levels not seen for over a year. | In December, both new mortgage approvals and inquiries fell to levels not seen for over a year. |
| Recent rises in UK rates may also have an impact on demand for houses. | Recent rises in UK rates may also have an impact on demand for houses. |
| The Bank of England left UK interest rates on hold on Thursday. |