Growth edges up

House price growth edged up in July, according to the latest survey from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. The research shows that 12.6% more surveyors reported prices rises rather than price falls in July, a figure up from the 10.4% it reported for June. Regionally, the survey finds house prices increasing most rapidly in Northern Ireland, and London with very strong growth in both regions. In Scotland, however, surveyors report growth halving, and in England only subdued growth was achieved last month. Only three regions ? East Anglia, Wales and the East Midlands ? record slight price falls compared to five last month, with prices stabilising in the South West, while growth in the South East has picked up slightly, surveyors reported. 'Potential buyers are clearly responding to higher interest rates, although demand is proving more resilient than in the previous rate tightening phase in 2003/4, due to strong underlying conditions in the economy,' says the report. 'The combination of softening demand and supply is causing market conditions to loosen further,' it continues. 'Nevertheless, market conditions are still firm.'