Confusing picture from stats. Prices up or down?
National house prices are a guide to trends
It helps form a general view of the state of the market. National data cannot replace local research.
Data lags 1 to 3+ months behind current market activity. Reports can be contradictory. Price predictions may not reflect the market where you are.
House price statistics can give confusing market signals because they only provide a snapshot view of the market at one particular point in the selling/buying cycle.
Nationwide & Halifax based on sale prices of homes for which they approve mortgages in the previous month. Rightmove reports the latest asking prices, not the price eventually agreed. Some asking prices may be too optimistic, some homes overpriced.
These reports help form a general view of the market if viewed over time so as to build a picture of trends. National data cannot replace local research. Price predictions may not reflect the market where you are.
What is happening with house prices?
What is happening with house prices?
Conflicting headlines because past sale price reports are always looking back. Current asking prices reflect current market conditions now.
Local research is always the most important factor in negotiating on price with agents.
Rightmove.co.uk 
reporting on asking prices
Bear in mind, these figures indicate what's happening to asking prices in the market now. Prospect for buyers to negotiate look hopeful. Some asking prices may be too optimistic, some homes overpriced.
Nationwide Report based on mortgage approvals
Halifax Report based on mortgage approvals
Land Registry is the most complete and accurate record of all selling prices but lags behind the market as reports are quarterly. See house prices on EstatesForum site
What matter to you is local market conditions
What matters whether selling or buying is local knowledge, local research. For more buyers' advice see EstatesForum
Where to check out all the major house price sites
To see sources of house prices data click -
Links to sources from this site
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