Property prices have risen again for the fifth consecutive month in a row according to September figures, making average house prices the same as they were 12 months ago.

The Nationwide house price index demonstrated a rise of 0.9% in September, they did however point out that this increase was probably unsustainable because of the high cost of rental properties and relatively low turnover.

UK average house prices are now standing at £161,816 and last month was the first occasion since last March that  year-on-year that rates have not been in the minus.

The statistics show that during the first 9 months of 2009, property prices rose by 4.1%, although they are 13.5% lower relative to the high point in October two year ago.

This is pretty surprising as I thought the gulf would have been much greater from peak to trough, I do agree that this rally is unsustainable because of the factors mentioned above and also because of the frightening levels of unemployment.