The figures are compiled by the Federation of Notaries when a sales agreement is signed.

The price of the average home rose 2.7% during the second quarter of 2012. The average house now costs 228,525 euros compared with 222,434 euros during the first quarter when prices fell by 2.3% on average.

Bart Van Opstal of the Federation of Notaries: "It was a sizeable fall during the first quarter. Everybody awaited the second quarter figures with bated breath."

The fall during the first quarter is seen as a correction by the market itself. Now bargain hunters have again entered the market edging up prices.

Flanders recorded a strong rise in house prices: 3.1% taking the average house price to 246,711 euros. In Wallonia the rise was 2.6 % taking the price of the average house to 171,179 euros. Brussels recorded the biggest increase, 7.9% with the average house now going for 422,248 euros.

Price rises for flats were more modest. Only 0.2% on average. In Flanders the negative trend continued with the price of apartments going down 2.7% on average (average price of a flat: 199,307 euros). In Wallonia there was a 5.3% rise and in Brussels an increase of 9.2% (average price of a flat: 224,912 euros).