Here Sarah Woodcock, of HSPC, describes what has happened in the area it covers in the past few months.

BBC: Market 'not all doom and gloom'

But in 2008 - for the first year ever - HSPC recorded having more than 2, 000 properties on its books.

BBC: Market 'not all doom and gloom'

The overall figure for average property prices in 2008 recorded by HSPC compared to 2007 has fallen by 5%, this has been an ongoing trend for the last two quarters of 2008 and is also reflected in the years total average.

BBC: Market 'not all doom and gloom'

It was not all doom and gloom though as HSPC had an increase in number of properties registered over 2008 of 2, 028 properties, the first year ever recorded as having more than 2, 000 properties and an increase on 2007 of 2%.

BBC: Market 'not all doom and gloom'