House prices edge up again, says Halifax

House prices are continuing to edge up, according to the the UK's largest mortgage lender, the Halifax.

Measured on an annual basis, house prices in June rose by 8.8%, up from 8.7% in May. However, the survey provides further evidence that the rate of house price growth is starting to moderate.
On a monthly basis, prices fell by 0.6% between May and June. This was the fourth monthly fall since last December.

On the more reliable quarterly measure, prices rose by 2.3% in the three months to June.That figure has changed little since June 2013. The average house price across the UK is now £183,462, said the Halifax.

"Housing demand continues to be supported by an economic recovery that is gathering pace, with employment levels growing and rising consumer confidence (...)" said Stephen Noakes, Halifax's mortgage director.

Last week, the Nationwide Building Society said prices had risen by 11.8% in the last year, and were now higher than at the peak of the market in 2007.

Source: BBC News