Island house prices remain steady

House prices in Jersey have remained steady for 15 months, according to new official figures.

The Jersey House Price Index showed the average cost of a house in the third quarter of 2009 was £497,000.

This represents a similar figure to those recorded in the island for the previous year.

The statistics are worked out by combining the average price of one and two bedroom flats, with two, three and four bedroom homes.

Statistics experts have described the index as "substantially flat".

Gill Hunt, a Jersey estate agent, told BBC News: "I think the prices are pretty much level, but the key thing is to look at the turnover of property which is down by about a third.

"It really shows that maybe not as many people are buying - it is a little bit more difficult to get a mortgage."