Spiralling house prices are leading to unrealistic expectations, sellers have been warned.

Land Registry data for the three months to the end of June reveal an average £7,000 rise in the price of the average home - bringing the national average to £117,398.

In the South East, prices have jumped 12.59 per cent to an average £147,617 but Southend estate agent Keith Martindill, a partner in Global Estate agents, warned that greedy sellers could lose out.

He said: "We allow for the national average rises when we do valuations for buyers but sellers often expect to put a percentage price rise that they have seen in the news on top of that figure.

"They then wonder why their properties don't sell quickly.

"They should listen to their agents. People should also realise that properties in some areas don't command such a high price as others.

"Prices in places like Shoebury, Chalkwell and Leigh have gone up sharply but in Westcliff the rise hasn't been so steep."

Mike Grey, Dedman Property Services boss, agreed prices in prime areas have risen sharply.

But he added: "Unusually we have seen a rise in the sale of one and two bedroom flats in areas like Westcliff."

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