House prices rose by 1.8 percent last month

House prices rose by 1.8 percent last month, three times faster than expected, leaving house price growth in the three months to October compared with a year ago at 1.2 percent, mortgage lender Halifax said on Thursday. But Halifax said a fall of 1.2 percent in the three months to October compared with the previous three months gave a more representative view of house price trends, although it does not expect a prolonged decline in prices.
"An increase in the number of properties available for sale in recent months, together with a decline in demand has put some downward pressure on prices in recent months," said Halifax economist Martin Ellis. "We do not believe that prices are set to fall sharply over a sustained period."
Analysts had expected a rise of 0.6 percent in October for a three-month annual rate of 0.7 percent.
Halifax said the average price of a home stood at 164,919 pounds in October. A survey by rival mortgage lender Nationwide last week showed house prices fell 0.7 percent in October, for an annual rise of 1.4 percent.

So good news at last the house prices are going up and that is promising. I feel that its confidence in the property market thats needed, if people feel secure to buy or sell their properties then the market will see an increase but while there is bad news people tend to stay away from the property market. Hopefully 2011 will see renewed confidence in the market and an increase in EPCs for me!