The Office of National Statistics has today released new figures, making it official : house prices are still going up. The number of people being gazumped when trying to buy a house will probably also rise.

It is now more commonplace for agents to warn prospective buyers that they may have to prepare themselves to pay more (much more) than the marketed price. Now it seems those prices will start at an even higher level.

On the plus side it is good news for the market generally, especially in light of the recent changes to stamp duty and lending rules.