Nearly half of homes on the market in Shrewsbury have been up for sale for at least six months, new figures published by property search engine Globrix have revealed today.

Figures show that 49 per cent have not sold during the past six months in the town. 

Nationally figures showed  nearly a third of properties currently for sale have been on the market for more than six months, while 12 per cent have been on it since the beginning of the year.

The figures came as new statistics showed that the number of homes changing hands increased for the first time in five months during October, but prices continued to slide.

The average property in England and Wales lost a further 1.3 per cent of its value during the month, according to property information group Hometrack. 

David Whittle, a director at Homesbury Estate Agents in Shrewsbury, said he thought the Globrix figure may be slightly high.

He said: “We are just trying to be a bit more proactive with our vendors and if they are keen to sell we try and get them to reduce their price. If the property is well priced it will sell, but if it’s overpriced it will stay there.”

Hometrack said the latest price fall left homes costing about £163,200 – 7.3 per cent less than a year ago and at a level last seen in March 2006. But the number of properties sold rose by 5.4 per cent during the month, the first increase since April. 

The group said the jump could be early evidence that vendors were finally starting to accept lower offers on their homes.