"I will not allow house prices to get out of control and put at risk the sustainability of the future." Gordon Brown, 1997 "At present the problem of the house price bubble is being largely ignored. But sooner or later the issue will have to be faced. House price booms and busts are a risk to economic stability." Vince Cable, February 2004 "It will all end in tears. I have thought this for some time, but I think we really are probably somewhere near the end of it." Tony Dye, April 2004 "Don't be fooled: unless you're committing to being a tenant forever, you need to get yourself on the property ladder...things will not get easier." Phil Spencer, Channel 4, November 2004 "A lack of homes for sale and buy-to-let demand continues to support prices and prevent the crash that some commentators are predicting." Simon Rubinsohn, October 2007 More Quotes...

"Thanks to The City's remarkable achievements, we have the huge privilege to live in an era that history will record as the beginning of a new Golden Age." Gordon Brown, June 2007 "There seems to have developed a culture of panic among some industry observers that a catastrophe is just around the corner. Nothing could be further from the truth." Bill Cullens, November 2007 "That people are in danger of facing widespread negative equity and home repossession is colourful and lurid fiction." Angela Eagle, Exchequer secretary to the Treasury, April 2008 "There is no sign of a property crash and never has been. Predictions otherwise have been grossly exaggerated. What we have seen is a small correction from a massive peak and there is very little chance of falling into an abyss." John Wriglesworth, Wriglesworth Consultancy "It is time to end the age of irresponsibility." Gordon Brown, September 2008 More Quotes...

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Real Prices (adjusted for inflation)Nominal Prices (not adjusted for inflation)   NationwideFinancial TimesLand RegistryHalifaxRightmove House Price Discussion at Serious Topics

Bernanke: More foreclosure aid needed CNN, 04 December 2008 Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Thursday that the government must do more to address foreclosures. BofA files foreclosure on 17-acre Miami site 04 December 2008 Bank of America is seeking to foreclose on a 17.1-acre site in southern Miami-Dade County that was planned as a residential community by Miami-based Precious Homes. Mortgage rates continue to fall CNN, 04 December 2008 Mortgage rates fell this week, reaching levels not seen since January, as the government steps up its efforts to aid the ailing housing market. Lower mortgage rates aren't the answer CNN, 04 December 2008 The government finally realizes that it has to address the problems in the housing market. Unfortunately, it seems officials are considering going at it the wrong way. More global news stories...

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With the US housing market experiencing a slow down and the US subprime mortgage market in crisis, there is increasing concern over the vulnerability of the economies of other countries where there has been a boom in house prices over the past decade.

• Links to articles from the UK, American and Australian press are updated daily here
• A discussion board for you to share you experiences of house buying and selling, and to ask the advice of others
• Statistics, including historic interest rates of major economies, housing market indicators, and predictions
• Some links to selected property market and economic websites
• Quotes from housing market pundits through the years