Time to bed in and make the house a home

The case for adding a bespoke glazed extension or conservatory has been strengthened by the news that house prices fell again in November.

As homeowners search for cost-effective ways to improve their home in the absence of a favourable sellers market, a modern and stylish glazed extension could well be the answer.

According to Nationwides house price index, the average house price is now just £158,442 – a whole £25,000 lower than a year ago.

While the price drop for November was only 0.4 per cent, Nationwide chief economist Fionnuala Earley advised that the market was showing no signs of bouncing back.

"In spite of the moderation in house price falls recorded in November, with the economy in recession, conditions do not appear very favourable for a swift recovery in the housing market," she said.

The latest figures show that there has been a 13.9 per cent decline in house prices year-on-year. This could encourage homeowners who only bought within the last few years to bed down, making their home as pleasant as possible until the market recovers.

There is a definite lack of activity in the housing market illustrated by figures from the British Bankers Association whish show that only 21,584 mortgages were approved in October – the second lowest figure since 1997.