UK house prices reach record high for second month in a row in April

According to the report from Halifax Bank of Scotland, on a monthly basis, house prices in April were 1.4% higher than in March. In the latest quarter (February to April) house prices were 0.9% higher than in the preceding three months (November to January). House prices were 8.2% higher than in April 2020.

Russell Galley, Managing Director, Halifax, said: “House prices in April eclipsed the record high set the month before as the market continued to maintain its recent momentum. The average property is now worth £258,204, up 1.4% month on month and 8.2% annually, the highest annual growth rate in 5 years. In cash terms, almost £20,000 has been added to the value of the average home since the market had essentially come to a standstill in April 2020. The stamp duty holiday continues to add impetus to an extremely active market, magnifying the current shortage of available homes as buyers aim to take advantage of the Government scheme. The influence of the stamp duty holiday will fade gradually over the coming months as it’s tapered out but low stock levels, low interest rates and continued demand is likely to continue to underpin prices in the market. However, we do expect recent levels of activity to be sustained over the short-term as buyers continue to search for homes with more space and potentially better suited for their new working patterns".