HOUSE prices in Gwent remain down year on year according to new figures from the Land Registry.

New average house price figures from the Land Registry from July 2011 show a mixed picture of average house prices rising and falling from June within Gwent council areas.

But the stats show that average house prices in all Gwent areas were still lower in July 2011 than in the same month in June 2010.

The numbers reflect the national picture, with July's average house price in England and Wales up from June by 1.3 per cent to £163,049 but down 2.1 per cent from the year before.

House prices fell month on month in Torfaen and Monmouthshire, while they rose in Newport, Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent.

Mark Roberts, managing director of Gwent estate agesnts Roberts and Co, said he believed that house prices have dropped because more terraced properties are selling.

He said that people were not discounting their homes as much as they were before, but added that most properties were being priced correctly.

“Most people realise that houses have dropped in price,” he said.

Jackie Taylor, sales negotiator for Davies and Sons in Caldicot, described the market in the south Monmouthshire area as “erratic”

She said homes that are selling in the area are selling at “good reasonable prices,” adding: “It’s a buyers market.”

Average house prices:

Blaenau Gwent: July 2011 - £72,155; June 2011- £72,214; July 2010 - £74,634

Caerphilly: July 2011- £99,328; Jule 2011- £98,828; Jule 2010- £101,212

Newport: July 2011 - £118,415; June 2011- £116,862; July 2010 - £122,368

Monmouthshire: July 2011 - £170,589; June 2011 - £172,486; July 2010 - £180,016

Torfaen: July 2011 - £105,824; June 2011 - £106,583; July 2010 £115,604