The Nationwide House Price Index for June shows that UK House prices fell by 0.6% compared with May.  This represents an annual 1.5% fall in house prices.  The current price of an average UK home is £165,738.  The decline of house price growth in June is the lowest reading since August 2009.

Robert Gardner, Chief Economist at Nationwide commented:

“The slightly weaker trend we’ve observed since March is unsurprising, given the difficult economic backdrop, with the UK economy dipping back into recession at the start of the year and few signs of a near term rebound.  Part of the weakness in house prices may also relate to the ending of the stamp duty holiday in March, which provided a temporary boost in early 2012, as buyers brought forward purchases that would otherwise have taken place later in the year.

“The outlook for house prices remains highly uncertain.  Economic conditions are expected to remain challenging over the next twelve months.  However, policymakers’ efforts to bolster the supply of credit to the economy and to help lower the cost should provide support to demand.  Moreover, the supply side of the market is still constrained, with construction failing to keep pace with the number of new households being formed.  

Overall, this suggests a continuation of the pattern experienced over the past two years, with prices remaining fairly stable over the next twelve months.”

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