After August's bounce a 1.1% rise house prices fell in September by 0.4% compared to September 2011, according to Nationwide building society. Based on its quarterly index, ten out of 13 British regions are showing year-on-year declines; London is the strongest region, bucking the trend with a 2.1% rise. Nationwide also noted that the rate of new construction was around 25% lower for Britain as a whole in the year to June 2012, than for the previous five years.
Savers who bag the leading rates offered by banks and building societies should remember to move once the initial deal period runs out, says Sylvia Morris on Thisismoney.co.uk. Those with money in accounts such as Santander's eSaver 4, Halifax Online Saver or Lloyds TSB Easy Saver "will end up earning as little as 0.08% if they fail to move their money". If you do open an account with a bonus rate', always put a note in your calendar to ensure you don't get caught out.
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