Halifax sees house prices 'easing' as inflation moderates
The increase in house prices may have started to ease, according to the Halifax, the nation's largest mortgage lender.
In its latest survey, it said prices across the UK in the three months to the end of August rose by 9.7% - significantly down from 10.2% in July.
The quarterly change was also down.
Prices in the three months between June and August were 3% higher than in the previous quarter, down from 3.5% in the previous month.
Martin Ellis, Halifax's chief housing economist, said there had been an improvement in housing supply - both second-hand homes coming on to the market, and increased numbers of new flats and houses.
"These trends, if sustained, should help to improve the balance between supply and demand, contributing to an easing in the pace of house price growth," he said.
The number of new buyers making inquiries also fell in July - the first time that has happened since January 2013.