Average house price in England and Wales is now just over £160,000

UK house prices largely unchanged in December

The price of what Nationwide describe as a "typical home" declined by 0.1 per cent in December making it now worth £162,262. Their figures suggest that overall in 2012 the price of a typical home declined by one per cent, reversing the one per cent increase recorded in 2011.

Robert Gardner, Nationwide's Chief Economist, said: "Given that the UK economy was in recession for much of 2012 a one per cent decline in house prices may be seen as a relatively resilient performance. However, the fact that prices declined even though employment rose strongly, suggests that conditions remain fragile, especially since other signs of housing market activity, such as the number of mortgage approvals, remained subdued, well below their long run averages.

"The outlook remains uncertain. Continued low interest rates and policy measures such as the Funding for Lending Scheme should provide some support. But, with the economic recovery expected to remain fairly weak, the housing market is likely to be characterised by low levels of activity again in 2013, with prices remaining flat or modestly lower over the course of the year.

According to the Land Registry, November house prices were up 0.3 per cent since October making their average house price in England and Wales a similar£161,490.

Their figures showed that:

* The region in England and Wales with the greatest increase in its average property value over the last 12 months was London with a movement of 5.9 per cent

* The North East had the greatest monthly rise with an increase of 2.4 per cent

* The North East also had the greatest annual price fall with a decrease of 2.9 per cent

* Wales saw the biggest monthly price fall with a decrease of 1.6 per cent