Many people are becoming very concerned about a possible recession and losing money on their houses, but it seems that for the most, they are still very much in the black.

According to a recent report from The Chartered Institute of Surveyors, house prices across the U.K are starting to drop. But is it all a bit over dramatic to suggest a real issue for most home owners?
According to the www.nationwide.co.uk, the average price of a house has risen from £77,698 in the first quarter of 2000 to £179,363 for the same quarter of 2008.

The BBC's programme 'Truth About Property', recently did their own report using HomeTrack, who actually stated that the average house owner had £167,000 of equity.

With figures of £100,000 plus as equity, is it any wonder that for first time buyers the amounts required for buy are just far too big. With these buyers out of the market, it lessens the amount of liquidity coming into the market, which loses other possible sales opportunities for the vendor, which is helping drive prices down.
So, with the stiffening of house prices, many will stay put in their homes and invest what they can in making their homes nicer. And for the most part, home owners have done very well from property, and probably still will.