THE ailing housing market is set to be hauled out of the doldrums, according a new report. Property website Hometrack is expected to report today that the eight-month nosedive is over.

The average property price currently stands at £162,000 down from a peak of £167,000 in June last year.

Today's report is due to show that prices fell by 0.2 per cent in February.

That is the smallest decrease since August.

The report also found that more people are registering with estate agents, agreed sales are rising and the average time to sell is falling.

Several areas reported price rises.

Experts at Hometrack are confident that low unemployment and stable interest rates will lead to a long-term price climb before the end of the year.