Oops! Nationwide admits its September House Price Index was wrong

Nationwide has admitted it got its numbers wrong in September, with annual house price growth actually now showing to have risen for the past two months.

The lender’s October House Price Index shows values increased 2.5% annually last month to £211,085.

But a note in the latest report revealed the September figures have been revised upwards by 0.3 percentage points.

Previously, it was thought that growth had slowed from 2.1% to 2% annually between August and September.

But Nationwide has now said due to a “minor error” in its calculations, prices actually grew 2.3% in September. In October, annual house price inflation is said to be 2.5%.

However, monthly growth has slowed from 0.4% to 0.2% between September and October.

Robert Gardner, chief economist for Nationwide, said: “Annual house price growth remains within the 2-4% range that has prevailed since March.

“Low mortgage rates and healthy rates of employment growth are providing some support for demand, but this is being partly offset by pressure on household incomes, which appears to be weighing on confidence. The lack of homes on the market is providing support to house prices.”

Commenting on the figures, Jonathan Hopper, managing director of Garrington Property Finders, said: “While fears over Brexit and the slowing economy have both played their part in slowing the market, the greatest inhibitor has been the punitive levels of Stamp Duty charged on high value homes.

“While hobbling the top end of the market may play well with some voters, many in the property sector worry the trickle-down effect could soon cause the mainstream market to slow substantially too – so all eyes will be on the Chancellor later this month to see if he will address the Stamp Duty elephant in the room and go beyond gimmicky giveaways to make meaningful changes.”

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