September house prices rise

However prices have fallenl by 0.3% since August 2012.

London experienced the greatest increase in its average property value over the last 12 months with a movement of 5.5%.

Meanwhile Wales enjoyed the greatest monthly rise with an increase of 0.5%.

The North East experienced the greatest annual price fall with a decrease of 3.2%.

In contrast earlier this week Zoopla reported the average asking price to be £226,369 highlighting the unrealistic picture potential purchasers are faced with.

And rival property website Rightmove said over-priced houses are putting off 62% of home-movers going to view properties which fit their criteria.

Rightmove director Miles Shipside said sellers can be tempted to price high on the assumption that they are giving themselves room for negotiation but in some cases this is acting as a deterrent.