Annual house price growth continued to soften at the start of 2015 , slowing from 7.2 % in December to 6.8% in January . This is the fifth month in a row in which annual growth has moderated , despite house prices increasing by 0.3 % month on month in January . After taking account of seasonal factors, UK house prices a re currently 2.4 % above their pre-crisis peak . “ The further moderation in the pace of price growth is unsurprising , given the slowdown in housing market activity in recent months. The number of mortgages approved for house purchase has been around 20% be low the level prevailing at the start of ... (full story)