By David Lawrenson

How would you fancy buying a flat in the summer of 2003 for £320,000 and then have to sell it in the autumn of 2005 for £20,000 less?

Not enough loss?

OK, how about buying another flat just next door for £315,000 and then have to sell it for only £245,000, just 3 years and 4 months later.

I thought not, but that's exactly what is happening right now in one north western city I know and which I just researched on the land registry.