House price optimism rises sharply

by Aaron Strutt

Apr 12 2013

The number of people who think house prices will rise over the next 12 months has risen significantly, according to the latest quarterly Halifax Housing Market Confidence tracker. The survey, which was conducted during the week of the Government's budget announcement, showed that more than four in ten (45%) of respondents predict the average UK house price will rise over the next year.

Only one in eight respondents (12%) forecast a decline in prices " the lowest proportion in the survey's history.

Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax, commented: "Sentiment regarding the outlook for house prices has improved markedly over the past quarter. This is likely to reflect the modest improvement in house prices nationally over recent months."

April 4, 2013