The post Christmas good cheer for the housing market continued yesterday as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) announced house price growth accelerated last month. The RICS’ monthly survey of surveyors showed that prices rose for a second consecutive month in December after 15 months of decline. Its balance of surveyors reporting a rise in prices minus those reporting a fall rose to plus 8, from plus 4 the previous month. In what is generally a quiet month in estate agents’ calendars sales completions rose by 8% in the three months to December their highest level since September 2004. RICS said: “Home buying and selling is being supported by a healthy job market and business climate, which looks set to continue for now.” Times