House prices will rise 5.3% this year

Is this just an optimistic estimate from the Centre of Economics and Business Research (CEBR)? Or will we see a rise in house prices this year? The first quarter certainly seems to point to an increase.

There seemed to be a bit of a rumour going around that we were coming out of the recession a couple of months ago so that might have had an effect. But in the most part, I think it's probably due to a combination of a shortage of new homes and a low mortgage borrowing rate- if you can get one.

If house prices do rise by 5.3% this year, it will push the average house price in the UK £172,500. This all sounds very promising for property owners wishing to sell. But it's actually lower than the CEBR's original growth prediction of 6%. Good news for buyers though. Get in there quick!