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House prices post biggest annual drop House prices fell 1.4 percent in the month of October to post their biggest annual drop since comparable records began in 1991, the Nationwide building society said on Thursday. Negative equity risk looms About 1.2 million households could fall into negative equity if the housing slump continues during the global economic downturn, the Bank of England said on Tuesday. Credit crisis sparks pension buyout slump Turmoil in global financial markets is forcing pension fund trustees to put off pursuing a buyout for their schemes, leaving volatile pension risks on company balance sheets, industry executives say. House prices fall again as sales at record low House prices kept falling sharply in the three months to August even as the average number of home sales per surveyor hit a new low, a survey showed on Tuesday. "Uber-prime" real estate still hot in London London's housing market may be cooling, but not when it comes to 10-bedroom mansions with designer interiors, indoor swimming pools and private gardens in the capital's most sought-after neighbourhoods. House prices fall in August House prices fell 1.8 percent in August to stand 12.7 percent lower than a year ago, the sharpest annual fall since records began 25 years ago, the country's biggest mortgage lender HBOS said on Thursday. Brown cuts stamp duty at start of fightback Gordon Brown cut an unpopular tax on home purchases on Tuesday as part of a package designed to boost the country's slumping housing market and lift his flagging political fortunes. Home purchase tax threshold raised for one year The Exchequer said on Tuesday properties worth less than 175,000 pounds would be exempt from a home purchase tax known as stamp duty for one year from Sept 3, up from a 125,000 pound threshold now. Brown unveils housing market support plan Prime Minister Gordon Brown unveiled plans on Tuesday to boost the country's slumping housing market as he launched a fightback after nearly a year trailing in the opinion polls. Mortgage approvals fall again in July Mortgage approvals fell for the 12th consecutive month to hit a series low in July, the Bank of England said on Monday, pointing to further sharp falls in house prices in the coming months.