House prices fell for the first time in nine months in December, paving the way for a stampede of first home buyers ahead of a looming deadline for stamp duty relief.
Data from Halifax bank showed average prices across the UK fell by 0.2 per cent last month to £297,166, which also limited the rise in the value of an average home to 3.3 per cent in 2024 after prices hit a a record £298,083 in November.
