House prices rose in January a seasonally adjusted 0.1% on the month butthe annual rate slowed sharply to 0.9% from December's 3.1%, the Halifaxreported. This contrasts sharply with the earlier survey by the Nationwide,which showed a 2.5% monthly rise and an annual one of 11.2%. Halifax saidthe weak January result was due mainly to a base effect of strong prices in the year earlier period, and said there were signs the market would strengthen in the short term.