PROPERTY prices in Dover have fallen in the last year, according to housing experts Home.co.uk

A comparison of median selling prices in October 2011 compared to October 2010 shows overall prices have seen falls of between one and seven per cent.

Data on the website says terraced homes are bucking the trend with a 14 per cent rise in selling prices but this is disputed by Simon Dowle from Dover estate agents Tersons.

Mr Dowle says the past year has seen a dip across the board.

He said: "Over the last year prices have been very flat, actually dipping by two or three percent.

"Terraced houses have been affected most. With bigger houses you do not notice the drop so much.

"Confidence-wise Dover has issues with employment and job security. Lots of people are sitting still and not wanting to take on a bigger mortgage commitment.

"Dover is completely different to other areas in Kent. We have always been very cheap in Dover against places like Ashford or Tunbridge Wells.

"This is because there are not a huge amount of large employers here to attract new people to the area and actually with Pfizer's going and job losses at the port employment is shrinking.

"We have the fast train but this has not affected prices either or attracted people in from London."

The property website also suggests homes are sitting on the market for longer before being bought.

According to Home.co.uk properties were on the market for an overall average of 211 days this month last year, compared to 180 days compared to January 2010. The longest wait was for sellers of terraced homes which were, on average, up for sale for 205 days compared to 151 days 12 months earlier.

Mr Dowle believes there will be no change this year and says action on regeneration projects is needed to galvanise the local market.

He said: "It will be a very tough year ahead.

"We need to see some action in Dover for regeneration. St James was meant to happen years ago but Asda pulled out and still nothing has happened. People need to see the diggers going in."

The picture for Deal is more pronounced, according to Home.co.uk, with price falls of between one and 38 per cent. According to the site selling prices for flats in the town have dropped from £144,500 in October 2010 to £89,000 at the end of last year.

Time on the market is varied with detached homes seeing a 59 per cent rise in duration, from 180 days to 204 days, but flats being snapped up in 167 days compared to 181 days at the start of last year. In Sandwich median selling prices show a 14 per cent drop for semi-detached properties, from £183,500 to £157,000 but again estate agents claim prices for terraced houses have risen.

Nationally real estate and investment firm Jones Lang LaSalle is predicting a difficult first half of 2012 for the property market but says there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Executive chairman Richard Batten said: "This year will see a slow start but hopefully a strong final burst to lift hopes for 2013.

"The last 12 months have led to a sober reassessment of recovery prospects for the UK economy. It is clear now the financial crisis and the ongoing fiscal squeeze have left the domestic economy weaker than previously expected. Growth is likely to fall into two phases in 2012. The first six months are expected to be flat at best, with the possibility of a slight dip. But the second half should be brighter.

"Hard evidence on the direct economic effects of international sporting events is patchy, but they often mark a turning point in sentiment. It is hoped that the London Olympics will provide a much-need boost to confidence."