In the four weeks to July 8, Rightmove reports a leap of 2.9% nationally. Remember, that's a surge in asking prices, and - while a few publications are headlining this story "the biggest monthly rise in five years" (or, indeed, since Rightmove began keeping records), it was actually the biggest percentage increases since 2004. The "since 2001" figure is based on cash values (of course, as prices rise, it takes a smaller and smaller percentage to produce large cash rises). The figures relating to the south east are more dramatic. The average asking price increased £12,000, and the annual inflation rate hit 12.5%. In London, the monthly figure was also 2.9%, but it left annual inflation at 13.8%. Rightmove's Miles Shipside insists asking prices are being achieved. In a few months, when the DCLG catches up on June's completion figures, we'll know something like the truth. More here. To download a pdf of the actual report, click here.