is the percentage by which house prices have increased, according to the Halifax house price index (HPI), while it's 1.2% according to Nationwide’s HPI. This is the fifth consecutive monthly increase. Although mortgage rates haven’t fallen any further, rate cuts are expected to follow later this year – which should be a boost to buyers as well as sellers. The increase does suggest that the market remains resilient and it’s still a great time to take on a self build or home improvement project.