Property Price Report shows 14.06 per cent increase in prices

The average house price in England and Wales is now £166,404.

The report compares average prices and volume of sales with those for the same period in 2003. It also gives a breakdown of the average sale prices of old and new properties by property type. The following information is contained in the report:

England and Wales

* The average price increased by 14.06% from £145,897 in 2003 to £166,404 for the same period in 2004;

* All economic regions in England and Wales showed an increase in average prices;

* The volume of sales increased by 12.27% from 217,262 in 2003 to 243,914 for the same period in 2004.

* 795 properties over £1 million were sold.

Greater London

* The average property price increased by 9.39% from £240,126 in 2003 to £262,685 for the same period in 2004;

* The volume of sales increased by 14.19% from 28,417 in 2003 to 32,448 for the same period in 2004;

* 470 properties over £1 million were sold.