HOUSE prices in most of Gwent rose over the last two months of 2009, new Land Registry figures show.

Property sales in December saw average values on sales grow steadily on November in Newport, Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Caerphilly, but fall in Blaenau Gwent.

Prices in Newport rose by 1.59 per cent, reaching an average of £120,517.

Torfaen saw the second highest rise – 0.52 per cent to £107,352 – while prices rose by 0.52 per cent to an average of £177,180 in Monmouthshire.

Prices also grew by 0.33 per cent to an average of £99,268 in Caerphilly.

But the value of Valleys homes in Blaenau Gwent continued to slide – by 0.79 per cent to £79,504.

All areas saw a fall year on year from December 2008 to 2009, with the exception of Monmouthshire which recorded an increase of 1.7 per cent.

Meanwhile more houses changed hands in October than September in three areas, according to the latest figures available.

Alan Darlow, Roberts and Co director, said modern housing developments were now getting better prices than they saw before the recession, while offers were also coming in closer to asking prices.

He added: “Its getting to the stage that people think if they don’t buy know they might miss the boat.”

Nathan Reeks of Properts said his firm had also seen prices rise in their area of Magor, South Monmouthshire.

“Homes coming in at realistic prices are selling,” he said.

Chris Davis, manager of the Newport branch of Davis and Sons, said there has been in an increase in interest in the market over the last two months.

But he said he would not want to give the impression prices were about to dramatically rise.

“If I’m going to value a property it would be the same as three months ago,” he said.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Signs of growth

IT’S encouraging to see that house prices in most of Gwent have risen in the last two months of 2009, according to the Land Registry.

Property sales in December saw average values on sales grow steadily on November in Newport, Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Caerphilly, but fall in Blaenau Gwent.

Prices in Newport rose by 1.59 per cent, reaching an average of £120,517 while Torfaen saw the second highest rise – 0.52 per cent to £107,352 and prices rose by 0.52 per cent to an average of £177,180 in Monmouthshire.

Only Blaenau Gwent was there a fall 0.79 per cent making the average home there now worth £79,504.

Local estate agents say that homes with realistic prices are selling well.

It is widely believed that a kick-start to the economy can only really happen when the housing market begins to recover.

While it is still very much early days yet these shoots of growth are encouraging and welcome.