Property professionals saw house prices fall for the first time in a year last month and expect further declines as demand weakens, according to new research.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said 8% more of its members reported a fall than a rise in property prices in July - the first time the survey indicated a fall since July 2009.
RICS said the fall came as supply outstripped demand, with a decrease in buyer numbers for the second month in a row while more sellers flooded on to the market.
Its July survey also indicated prices were likely to decline further, with the worst reading for expectations since last spring.
RICS said 28% more surveyors forecast prices to fall over the coming months, up from 6% in June.
But the report suggests the market will remain buoyant as 8% more surveyors said they expected the number of sales to rise rather than fall.
RICS spokesman Ian Perry said the drop in prices was "a reflection of both the increase in supply following the scrapping of Home Information Packs and the more cautious stance from buyers".
He added: "Significantly, the forward looking price expectations numbers suggest that this softer trend will continue through the second half of the year.
"However, agents are still generally optimistic about sales activity which should benefit from more realistic pricing of properties."
The RICS figures contrast with an upbeat report from the National Association of Estate Agents, which found the market enjoyed its strongest month of the year so far in July.
