UK sellers raised their asking prices by 0.7% between August 9 and September 12, marking the first monthly increase in five months, property website Rightmove said. The gain was slightly above the typical seasonal rise and followed a 2.0% decline over the previous four weeks. Prices remained 0.8% below a year earlier, although the annual decline narrowed from 1.0% in August. Housing inventory reached a 12-year high, while buyer enquiries fell 9% from the same period last year, leaving the market tilted toward buyers. The average two-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 5.29% from 5.09% as the Iran war continued to fuel energy-price and inflation concerns, pushing up market rates and borrowing costs. Rightmove property expert Colleen Babcock described the improvement as a modest recovery after a subdued summer, while the report said the market's next phase will depend on mortgage rates easing and demand improving. Analysts viewed the price increase as a technical rebound after seller confidence weakened, rather than clear evidence of stronger demand.