The news that house prices in Oxfordshire are tumbling at an annual rate of 3.8 per cent might sound like doom and gloom.

But let's take the positives from an uncertain situation.

According to Land Registry figures, the average price of a house sold in the county in September was £241,444, compared to £250,363 for the same month in 2007.

That might sound worrying but Oxfordshire still compares well against England and Wales, which saw an eight per cent annual average house price fall to £168,814.

Of course, bad news for some spells good news for others, which is why investor Ruth Sly reckons now is the time to snap up property.

She and husband Rob already own more than 30 properties — now they hope to have 140 more by 2010.

She said she was buying now because she wanted to be ahead of the game.

Only time will tell.