House Price Trends

Definition of Real house prices – nominal house price growth – inflation.

This gives a better understanding of the relative affordability of house prices. For example, in the late 1980s, inflation reached 11% meaning the nominal house price growth was partly caused by inflation. In the 2000s boom, inflation was much lower. The trend in real house prices reflects a long term trend in house prices. It doesn’t mean house prices will always grow at this rate. It just reflects what has happened in the past.