My Point exactly - "Phil Delaney, Regional Manager, Halifax Estate Agency, said:...."
Whether mortgage lenders or estate agents, the figures are bound to express 'bias' - they just haven't been able to co-ordinate their varying degrees of 'bias' very effectively hence the various discrepancies. Some would call this practice good marketing, others would call it lying.
The BBC are one of the worst reporters of the housing market around. They will print a story saying house prices have gone up the same day they print one saying they have gone down. At the end of the day they are a vested interest - half their TV schedule is based around property programs and the mania surounding it.
As for estate agents and building societies - the more they shout about house prices going up, the weaker the market really is.
Another point to take into account is the number of ways of sampling and alalysing the data.
At the end of the day I have no doubts we are in the middle of the biggest bubble ever, my biggest concern is that it will take all of us with it when it pops.
$1,200 billion personal debt, average household spending is something like 150% of earnings, bankrupcies and repossesions at highest level ever etc
http://www.creditaction.org.uk/debtstats.htm
Plus 20% for the year but down 3% over the last 1/4 make the maths correct!!!!!!!!!!
But anyone who thinks house prices are going to fall, just hang on a while and pick up a bargain!!!!!!!!!
House prices up 4.6% says Land Registry
The Land Registry’s latest residential property price report shows average house prices in England and Wales rose 4.6% during 2005 despite a fall in prices between October and December.
http://www.ifaonline.co.uk/public/showPage.html?page=315323
House prices 'fell in late 2005'
House prices in England and Wales fell by 2% in the last three months of 2005, according to authoritative figures from the Land Registry.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4689954.stm
Can you spot the dodgy reporting?! I like to think the latest result and trend is the most relevant!
And here's one for Stroppy and Diane:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/slump-hits-home/2006/02/06/1139074171442.html
I bought my house as a home and don't see it as a commodity.
I always hope that the bubble will burst and so all the smug property investors will shrink off back with their debts. However, the picture will be different for local homeowners left to pay huge mortages as interest rates rise to curb the inflation brought about by a housing slump and everyone wanting more wages.
More good news for Aussies (I'd wait a bit longer Stroppy):
House prices to tumble
HOMEBUYERS across Australia might be better off delaying their home purchases into the New Year as house prices fall following today's rise in interest rates.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,19992837-5001024,00.html
Wait until my daughter is old enough to go to university, then allow her to choose whether to stay here for her education, or come to the UK. (In about 8 yrs time)
Move back to the UK so Hen can experience living in another country for a few years.
Sell up in the UK and move back to Oz to retire...
Ex-minister in turbine plan row
A row has broken out between a former minister and residents in a Cornish village over his wind turbine plans.
Man quizzed over pedestrian death
A man is arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after a man was hit by a car on the A30.
Woman, 77, is tagged over cocaine
A 77-year-old woman is to be fitted with an electronic tag after being caught with £1,300-worth of cocaine in her handbag.
Celibacy the key to a long life
A woman who is celebrating her 105th birthday attributes her long life to remaining celibate.
Fire crews save stuck pig's bacon
Firefighters have to wade through a slurry pit in Cornwall to rescue a sinking pig in danger of drowning.
Apology over ashes ruling
Officials apologise to a man who was refused permission to scatter his mother-in-law's ashes in the shape of a cross.
Reptiles benefit from drugs raid
A Devon zoo and the Eden Project in Cornwall benefit from a big drugs bust in Plymouth.
INTERNET - CAMPAIGN FOR NATIONAL DOMAIN SUFFIXES
The Celtic League has urged the Cornish Language Partnership to support the campaign to adopt national internet domain suffixes for the Celtic countries. So far just Ireland and Mannin have national domain suffixes (ie and im respectively).
