UK housing slows

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UK house hunters will pay, on average, more for a house in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Northern England than they did last quarter, and a little less than last quarter if they buy in the South West or in East Anglia. Meanwhile, housing prices rose in London, but only by 0.1 percent, after declines in both of the previous quarters. Prices were up in March, but the price rises were lower than previously, sending the housing price inflation rate back into the single digits overall. Additionally, first quarter prices were in line with price trends over the past year. The biggest price increases have been seen in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and northern England, with the lowest increases occurring in Greater London, the South East, and the South West. During the first quarter, the highest price increases were outside of England. Housing prices rose 6.1 percent over the first quarter in Scotland, 3.1 percent in Northern Ireland, and 2.4 percent in Wales. Prices fell by 1.2 percent in the South West and by 0.9 percent in East Anglia.