Further signs of a steadying in the UK house market have emerged after figures from the Halifax showed prices rose by 0.3% in July.

The bank added that prices were up on a quarter-to-quarter basis for the first time in 14 months, following a 0.5% rise in the three months to July.

With little change in either the level of house sales or the number of properties on the market since late 2010, Halifax said the steady market conditions have helped to stabilise house prices.

Halifax housing economist Martin Ellis said: "This pattern is expected to continue over the rest of the year with

According to latest research conducted by Paragon Mortgages, half of mortgage intermediaries reported that buy-to-let applications increased during the second quarter.

The Financial Adviser Confidence Tracking (FACT) Index, carried out by the specialist buy-to-let mortgage lender, found that, on average, the intermediaries interviewed conducted 5.4% more buy-to-let business in Q2 than in the first quarter.

Availability of buy-to-let finance also improved significantly during the past three months. Of the intermediaries surveyed, 64% thought that availability improved and just 8% felt

The aggregate loan-to-value (LTV) ration on mortgaged property in the UK is less than 60 per cent, new research has shown.

New figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders revealed most individual borrowers continue to have a substantial cushion of equity in their homes, with almost half of them having outstanding mortgage debts that calculate at less than 70 per cent of the value of their abode.

Moreover, a further quarter revealed they have a bumper of between ten and 30 per cent of their dwelling's worth.

Paul Smee, director general at CML - which is a not-for-profit organisation -

First-time buyers are being offered £600 when they buy their home through the Halifax if they saved their deposit in one of its accounts.

Those hoping to buy their first property who save £150 a month in any Halifax account other than its Christmas Saver will qualify for the bonus when they take out a mortgage with the bank. They must have made a deposit in the account for ten of the previous 12 months, and the offer is open to those who have been saving since before this month.

Halifax offers 2.24 per cent after tax (2.8 per cent before) on its Web Saver Reward or 2.6 per cent tax free

Just a quick to note to remind you that the majority of the UK Auction Houses will be having a couple of weeks off from this week. There are a handful of auctions taking place in August (these properties will be in our database), however over 95% of auctioneers will begin their auctions from early September. Catalogues will start being released again from 20th August, so keep an eye out for new lots on line. In the meantime check out the available properties that are in our database, unsold from the July auctions... there may be a bargain to be had!

It has been reported today that home improvements have been put on hold for the majority of households, as high costs involved and lack of disposable income fail to see the job through from start to finish.

Jason Orme, editor at Homebuilding and Renovating, claims the current economic situation means that the "significant investment" involved with DIY and other improvements is just not an option for many.

"Over the past year it has been an incredibly difficult economic climate for everybody and people have been hankering down and certainly putting off major expenditure," Mr Orme states.

Get the ball rolling with a free, no obligation property valuation from one of our auctioneer partners.

We only work with the best performing auctioneers in your local area, who have been selected due to their ability to value and sell properties quickly and efficiently. Finding out the true value of your house in the current market will put you in the best position going forward.

Please complete the property auction enquiry form http://www.ukauctionlist.com/selling/property-auction-enquiry-form as thoroughly as possible to help us complete a valuation of your property. On receipt of the

House prices are now up 4.7 per cent since the start of the year, after inching 0.2 per cent higher in July, but property transactions have slipped to their lowest level in two years, the Nationwide has reported.

The building society said that the average house price rose to £168,731 in the month, up 0.2 per cent from June, but 0.4 per cent lower than this point last year. The average price is up more than £7,000 on January's figure of £161,211 - a rise of 4.7 per cent.

But despite an uplift in mortgage approvals in June, according to the Bank of England, Nationwide's chief economist

London-based house builders have increased the number of housing starts in outer London boroughs, in anticipation of greater capital growth, according to new research by CB Richard Ellis (CBRE).

The company report that housing starts more than doubled over the second quarter in outer London boroughs, as demand for new homes in London continues to grow. There is also growing evidence that the recent property price boom in Central London will ripple out to other parts of the capital, fuelled partly by a shortage of new build homes, as there has been an increase in overseas nationals looking

Just a quick to note to let you all know that the majority of the UK Auction Houses will be having a couple of weeks off from next week.  There are property auctions this week in the South East and South West, and early next week in Scotland, and although there will be a handful of auctions taking place in August, over 95% of auctioneers close for a couple of weeks in August and will start again from early September.  Catalogues will start being released again from 20th August, so keep an eye out for new lots on line.

In the meantime if you're looking to sell your property, give us a ring