More evidence that the decline in the housing market is slowing has emerged with the latest set of Halifax house price figures.
House prices dropped by only 1.9% during the three months to the end of June.
That is the smallest quarterly fall since the beginning of 2008, and well down on declines of between 5% and 6% during the three final quarters of 2008.
Annually, house prices have now dropped 15%.
The average price of a home stands at £157,713.
"These figures provide evidence that the underlying pace of house price decline is easing," said Martin Ellis, an economist with Halifax.
"The mixed picture of monthly rises and falls so far this year contrasts sharply with the consistent succession of significant monthly declines recorded in 2008.
"This indicates that the underlying rate of decline in house prices has eased."
However, he added: "Whilst there have been encouraging recent signs of improvement, the outlook for the UK economy remains uncertain, with unemployment set to continue rising for some time.
"Overall, we expect to see a continuing mixed pattern of monthly house price rises and falls over the remainder of 2009."
The Halifax figures contrast with those issued by Nationwide for June, which showed a 0.9% rise in house prices - the third increase in four months.
Other indicators have also pointed to a improving market conditions.
Economists warn that any recovery in the market is likely to be slow and fitful, due to rising unemployment and continuing problems in the mortgage market.
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