Hometrack has recorded its biggest monthly fall in prices since September 11 2002. It said average prices fell 0.6% in October, the fourth successive monthly fall. No counties recorded price increases, which has prompted Hometrack to predict that prices will not rise at all in 2005. “House prices are likely to drop further over the next few months due to the current excess supply and the expected seasonal fall off in the number of prospective buyers,” said a Hometrack spokesman. “However there is no sudden or significant prospective downturn in sight.” The survey also showed the number of properties on the market increased by 5.6%, while buyers fell by 3.8%. Average prices achieved fell to 93.7% of asking price, down from 94.5% in September. Nationwide also recorded a price fall in October of 0.4% - it’s biggest decline since February 2001. But it too rejected any possibility of a crash.