The July data from Land Registry's flagship House Price Index shows an annual price decrease of 2.1 per cent which takes the average property value in England and Wales to £163,049. The monthly change from June to July is 1.3 per cent.
The only region in England and Wales to experience an increase in its average property value over the last 12 months is London with a movement of 1.3 per cent.
The South West experienced the greatest monthly rise with a movement of 2.2 per cent. The North East experienced both the greatest annual price fall with a decrease of 8.8 per cent and the most significant monthly price fall with a movement of 2.3 per cent.
The most up-to-date figures available show that during May 2011, the number of completed house sales in England and Wales decreased by 10 per cent to 46,870 from 52,170 in May 2010.
The number of properties sold in England and Wales for over £1 million decreased by 44 per cent between May 2010 and May 2011, from 464 to 262.
Peter Bolton King, Chief Executive of the NAEA, said:
“The NAEA’s latest figures show that buyers are coming back to the market – the average number of house-hunters registered per branch increased significantly in July, from 263 in June to 299.
"This is an unprecedented increase for what is traditionally a very quiet time.
“As mortgage conditions are more favourable now than at any time in the last three years, those in a position to buy are coming out of the woodwork and benefiting from prices that are, overall, still lower than a year ago.
“However, supply continues to be an issue and NAEA members are reporting a drop in the number of properties available. The truth is that, for most people – particularly first time buyers –while buying a property is becoming more affordable, there just aren’t enough available properties on the market."
David Brown, commercial director of LSL Property Services said:
“A rise of 1.3% means prices rose £30 per day last month. This would normally indicate a strong market, but it would be jumping the gun to suggest we’ve turned the corner in the UK. Mortgage lending is still subdued and prices have fallen 2.1% in the last 12 months.
“Nevertheless, there are a number of reasons to expect further growth in the coming year. The probable extension of the interest holiday provided by the MPC’s retention of the 0.5% rate means mortgage providers are competing to offer cheaper and cheaper deals.
"What’s more, transactions in areas which have seen the greatest price falls in England and Wales have been rising throughout the last quarter. This suggests prices in these areas may be somewhere near the bottom and when you consider the low price of mortgages, there are a lot of great deals out there for investors.
"But while there are tangible reasons to be optimistic, the market won’t return to consistent growth until mortgage lenders feel confident enough to start increasing the amount of money they’re pumping into the market”.
Chris Gardner of mortgage website, Obligo.co.uk, said:
"Prices rose in July but then it's hard to read too much into any month's house price data given the low level of transactions.
"The regional trending of prices, with London weathering the storm and the rest of the UK more vulnerable, is an accurate reflection of where the market is at. The two factors supporting house prices are low interest rates and the mortgage market, which has sparked back to life in recent months.
"At some point the return of 90%, and increasingly 95%, mortgages is going to see people turn away from the rentals market, which is starting to look like a bubble, and make the decision to buy instead.
"The fundamental issue the housing market has faced in recent years has been the weak link at the lower end of the chain.
"But as 95% mortgages become more readily available, this link will strengthen and may see the property market kick back into life. There are so many people who want to move right now but who can't because they cannot find a buyer.
"As mortgage availability at higher LTVs continues to improve, this situation will change and more transactions will take place. The housing market will continue to operate in the shadow of the economy but improved mortgage availability at higher LTVs will do it no harm."
Nicholas Ayre, director of property buying agents Home Fusion, commented:
"After a week of almost unrelentingly bad economic data, the housing market has been cast in the surprising and unfamiliar role of light relief. In July house prices rose across England - with the one exception being the North East, where the market has fallen off a cliff and is showing no sign of recovery.
"Everywhere outside the London microcosm, prices are lower than they were a year ago, but they are at least showing some signs of life. Paradoxically this may be linked to the steady dimming of the economy's vital signs.
"With the Bank of England hinting that interest rates are unlikely to be raised for many months, a few more housebuyers are being tempted in to test the water. July is traditionally a very quiet month, so as we look ahead this glimmer of hope seems brighter.
"But there's another factor at work - the supply of housing. The Land Registry data were released just hours after the Home Builders Federation revealed that planning permission approvals have dropped by almost a quarter since this time last year.
"If the shortage of
