Click here for a closer look at the UK regions and where prices are falling fastest

Conditions in the property market continue to deteriorate, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' housing market survey, out this week. But headline figures - suggesting that agents are clinching only one sale a week - mask vast regional differences. The survey of agents shows that the proportion reporting price falls is highest in Yorkshire and Humberside and in the East Midlands and lowest in London and Scotland. New buyer inquiries are reported to be weakest in the North and Wales - yet expectations of sales are at their gloomiest in the West Midlands.

So what do these complex indicators mean for actual prices? The Chesterton poll of polls, compiled by the Centre for Economic and Business Research from the Halifax, Nationwide and Land Registry indices, shows how price falls of 15.9 per cent over a year in Northern Ireland are masking price rises of 0.4 per cent in Scotland. Prices are down 5.5 per cent in the West Midlands, but have fallen only 1.4 per cent in the North East. The poll also shows how house prices are below the new stamp duty threshold of £175,000 in all regions except London, the South East, South West and East. But the maximum saving of £1,750 afforded by the concession will be quickly outstripped by monthly house price falls now at £1,635 in the North East and £1,661 in the East Midlands.

Market experts will therefore be looking beyond government intervention here to that in the US for relief. But even if the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac helps to ease the loans drought, regional discrepancies are likely to persist: research by Moneyfacts this week revealed that borrowers in the Midlands have the greatest choice in mortgages, while those in Northern Ireland and Scotland suffer the most restricted access to loans.

Reports from the high street

Motivated and realistic sellers still have a reasonable opportunity for sales before the winter; country houses and cottages are still creating interest.

David Benjamin, Matthews Benjamin, Windermere, Cumbria

Increasing numbers of houses are being taken in part exchange by major builders so that they can complete on their housing estates.

Stuart Allan, Broadley & Coulson, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham

The second week of August proved the busiest of the year in terms of agreed sales. This is the result of realistic pricing.

Edward Waterson, Carter Jones, York

We have seen a slight upturn in activity, although offers are coming in 10 per cent to 15 per cent under asking prices.

Ken Bird, Renton & Parr, Wetherby, West Yorkshire

The rental market is feverishly active. When the market improves, most of these tenants will be looking to buy with the consequential increase this will cause in demand.

John Halman, Gascoigne Halman, Wilmslow, Cheshire

Every time sales grow, the following month seems to show a corresponding reduction. The situation is not helped by lawyers who, despite the lack of work, are so slow that matters drag out unnecessarily.

Martin Pendered, Martin Pendered & Co, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire

The acid test will be whether levels of activity increase in September on traditional lines, or if the current impasse continues. Jeffrey Gregson, Lex Allan & Gregson, Stourbridge, West Midlands

Buyers seemingly choose to ignore asking prices adjusted for market conditions and expect further reductions.

John Frost, The Frost Partnership, Slough, Berkshire

Small builders and investors are conspicuous by their absence. However, some are picking up bargains. Every sale is a major achievement.

David Nesbit, D.M. Nesbit & Co, Portsmouth, Hampshire

We are getting offers, but most of them are below asking prices - 25 per cent in some cases.

David McKillop, McKillop & Gregory, Salisbury, Wiltshire

Many buyers are returning to the Chelsea market to take advantage of better value. We have seen an increase in demand for family homes between £2 million and £5 million.

Robert Green, John D. Wood & Co, Chelsea, West London

First-time buyers and investors, providing of course they can obtain mortgage finance, are returning cautiously, encouraged by more realistic selling prices and rising rents.

Jeremy Leaf, Jeremy Leaf & Co, Finchley, North London

Aberdeen and its suburbs are still doing well owing to the strength of the local economy. Well-priced houses are selling, but flats and smaller properties for first-time buyers are difficult to shift.

Gordon Macdonald, Allied Surveyors, Aberdeen

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