So the year's ending the way it began - with the bears and the bulls fighting it in print while the market manages to defy them both by doing very little indeed. For the bulls' view, here's Clare Francis of the Times, whose report is weighted in favour of interviews with estate agents. In her world view, houses aren't being built as fast as households are being formed, interest rates are set to tumble in 2006, and London is already leading the way in a house price recovery. Speaking for the bears, here are John Robson and Andrew Selsby of RH Asset Management, writing in Money Week. According to them Brown's pensions U-Turn will turn out to be the tipping point, after more conservative lending policies, recession and a still over-valued market push the market to the precipice. Meanwhile, on those interest rates, go here to read why John Boulger of Charcol believes interest rates are going to fall next year and then fall again and possible again, shaving 0.75% of an already low number. Great.