The Department of Communities and Local Government house prices figures come out late, but represent completion figures, so they mean something. And they're showing a 1.1% monthly rise in April, bringing the annual rate of house price decline down 0.6% to 13%. Following the RICS figures, the recent Nationwide survey and reports by agents of increased enquiry levels, there's little doubt there's been some kind of bump in market activity in recent months. However, during most market downturns there are occasional months that buck the trend. Furthermore lending's still too tight to mention, and a shortage of supply is helping to prop up prices. If too many potential vendors respond by chucking their homes on the market, all this could change.

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