UK house prices rose by 0.9% in June, according to the latest survey from the Nationwide building society. It said this was the third rise in the past four months, and shrank the annual rate of decline to just 9.3%, from 11.3% in May. The increase in prices during the past month means the average home now costs £156,442, which is £15,973 less than a year ago. The Nationwide said the stabilisation of prices was a "welcome surprise". (full story)