British house prices increased by 0.9% in April as buyers showed signs of returning to the market, the Nationwide reported today.
The hike went against the gloomier tone of other recent data, although the building society said volatility was normal at this time of year.
It said the increase could mark the fact that an early Easter moved the traditional house hunting season forward this year.
Prices were 7% higher than the same time last year, against a 7.9% annual rise in March.
