According to preliminary data released by the statistical office on Friday, house prices in Cyprus accelerated for the second consecutive quarter. The year-on-year increase of the house price index was 2.7% in the third quarter, building on a 2.5% rise in the prior quarter. Compared to the second quarter, house prices increased by 0.7%, following a 1.2% rise previously, marking the third successive quarterly rise. The house price index (HPI) climbed to 113.6 from 112.9 over the preceding three months.