Home ownership: The home ownership in Britain is one of the highest in the European Union with 65%.

1990: During the early 1990s, there was an unprecedent collapse in the value of property.

1995: In october 1995 the average UK house price was of only 55000 Pounds.
Since then, the market has fully recovered.

2001: The average price of a house in 2001 was 85000 Pounds.

2004: At the start of 2004, the market was robust and UK prices were at an all-time high of 150000 Pounds.
Since then, the market reached a point where prices have ceased to rise and are in fact falling slightly in many places (december 2004). Experts say that a crash in a very unlikely prospects and that prices have finally reached their peak in the current cycle.

2005: The current forecast is that prices should begin rising again in spring 2005 : unless unexpected interest rate rises, buyers should return to support demand. 0% inflation is expected in 2005.

Long term: For a long-term investment, a best buy is a character, period house or a waterfront property or a property in Central London (especially at the top-end of the market).