The December data from Land Registry’s House Price Index has shown an annual price increase of 1.7%.
This takes the average property value in England and Wales to £162,080.
The monthly change from November to December is an increase of 0.8%.
Repossession volumes, included for the first time in this month’s report, fell by 16% in October 2012 to 1,524 compared with 1,805 in the same period a year earlier.
The region in England and Wales which experienced the greatest increase in its average property value over the last 12 months is London with a movement of 8.4%. The capital also experienced the greatest monthly rise with an increase of 3.1%.
The North West experienced the greatest annual price fall with a decrease of 3.5%. The North West also saw the most significant monthly price fall with a decrease of 0.9%.
The most up-to-date figures available show that during October 2012, the number of completed house sales in England and Wales decreased by 3% to 56,337 compared with 57,988 in October 2011.
The number of properties sold in England and Wales for over £1 million in October 2012 increased by 14% to 623 from 548 in October 2011.
All regions saw a fall in repossessions between October 2011 and October 2012 ranging from 8% in the South East to 35% in the North East.
“December property prices edged higher, helping push the annual average figure into positive territory,” said Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients.
“However, the national average masks significant regional differences, with prices falling in parts of the country and London continuing to outperform the rest. We expect this situation to continue this year.
“On the lending front, the picture is much more positive with some of the cheapest mortgages ever seen. Lenders continue to cut rates and offer more choice at higher loan-to-values. Lending volumes are slowing ticking up month by month, with renewed vigour from lenders keen to do more lending this year than last.
“There was a welcome drop in the number of repossessions but any repossession is one too many. It is also worrying that so many can be repossessed while interest rates are at historic lows. More needs to be done, and lenders need to continue to show forbearance towards borrowers.”
Harris added: “There is a lot riding on the Government’s Funding for Lending scheme in terms of opening up the market and making it easier to buy if you have a more modest deposit. It is no overnight solution but a slow burner, yet the early signs are encouraging.”
