Tag Archives: british
UK mortgage approvals for homes reaches 18 month high
The number of mortgage approvals for house purchases in the UK has risen to an 18 month high, as the end of summer saw a surge in mortgage lending, according to the latest data from chartered surveyors. There were 69,220 house purchase mortgage approvals in August, some 9.3% higher than the 63,340 approved in August last year, and the highest monthly number since 70,239 in February 2014, the figures from the Mortgage Monitor report from e.surv shows. Compared with July, the number of house purchase approvals has risen 0.7%, from 68,764 approvals. It marks the third consecutive monthly rise in approvals, with mortgage lending steadily improving every month since the General Election in May. The firm says that this improvement also comes despite growing certainty over the likely course of interest rates in the UK, with the Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, reporting that global economic uncertainty, in particular the slowdown in China’s economy, is likely to have little impact on when the bank's Monetary Policy Committee chooses to raise the base rate from 0.5%. 'Weak inflation and recovering wages mean that more British workers are able to meet the stringent affordability requirements demanded by the new MMR rules and obtain the mortgage they want,' said Richard Sexton, a director of e.surv chartered surveyors. 'This latest resurgence of demand is pushing up prices. What’s more, banks are supporting those borrowers that need finance, and many record low rates remain. It‘s a good time for many potential new buyers to get a mortgage and think about taking a first step on the ladder,' he explained. 'Concerns over an interest rate rise may have helped push some borrowers into acting quickly. However, this is now the third consecutive month of growth, and home lending has been strong since May, now that the uncertainty that surrounded the election has evaporated. Healthier mortgage lending reflects a stronger UK economy and an upturn in fortunes for British buyers,' he added. The data also shows that August saw the number of small deposit borrowers, that is those with a deposit worth 15% or less of their properties’ total value, rise in absolute terms to reach a post-recession high. There were 11,975 small deposit house purchase loans approved in August, up 7.5% compared with 11,140 in July and 6.2% up on August 2014. It was the best month for small deposit house purchase lending since April 2008. Small deposit borrowers now represent 17.3% of all house purchase mortgage approvals, the highest proportion since September 2014 and significantly higher than in July 2015, up 16.2% month on month. Sexton pointed out that the latest First Time Buyer Tracker from Your Move and Reeds Rains reported that July saw 29,700 first time buyer sales, the highest number since August 2007. 'First time buyers have… Continue reading
Modern kitchen makes a property more desirable, new research suggests
A modern kitchen most likely to make homes more desirable to buyers and tenants in the UK while off street parking and a back garden are also influential, according to new research. A survey of estate agents found that 28% said a modern kitchen was the one feature most likely to prove attractive to potential buyers, 23% said a driveway or off street parking, 17% an open plan kitchen/diner and 14% a back garden. Other features chosen as most desirable to buyers were an en-suite in the master bedroom, neutral painted walls, fast internet connection, a conservatory, a front garden and real wooden floors. The data was gathered by property portal OnTheMarket and it also found that according to some agents, a modern kitchen could add up to £50,000 to the value of a property and the majority said it could add between £4,000 and £5,000, depending on the property’s overall value and size. Agents who said a modern kitchen was the most likely feature to make a home more desirable were mainly based in the South East. ‘Whilst the kitchen has always been a central part of the British home, its popularity amongst buyers and tenants has increased, triggered in part by the surge in culinary TV programmes,’ said Martin Flashman, a partner at Martin Flashman & Co, which has branches in Weybridge and Walton in Surrey. ‘Buyers are particular about kitchens, their existing facilities and the ability to extend them. Families are now spending more time in the kitchen, cooking together, baking and generally being foodies,’ he added. Nick Guy, director of Martin & Co lettings in Reigate also cited the popularity of cooking television shows. ‘This has led to more people experimenting with food and pushed the kitchen to the forefront of a tenant's/buyer's mind when they view a property. Everyone likes to picture themselves cooking impressive meals among family and friends,’ he said. ‘Buying a new home represents an investment in a certain lifestyle and for some, having a top of the range kitchen with a wow factor is part of this. It is true that this is the room that can often make or break a property deal,’ he added. The majority of agents suggested that off street parking could add £10,000 to £20,000 in value, depending on the property’s overall value and size. Agents who chose this option were mainly from the South East, Wales and the Midlands. Brian Thomas, from Ferriers Estate Agents, which covers Mid/West Glamorgan in Wales, said the appeal of off street parking was no longer confined to big cities. ‘Some of our potential buyers and tenants will not even consider looking at a property if it doesn’t have off street parking,’ he said. ‘Most families now have at least two cars, so… Continue reading
UK commercial property market strong enough to withstand interest rate rise
There are few concerns about a rise in interest rates in the UK commercial property market which is regarded as being strong enough to take a base rate rise in its stride, according to a new report. The all property capital growth index rose by 0.7% in July month on month, which is down on the 0.9% reported for June, the latest market outlook report from real estate firm Knight Frank shows. Industrial saw the highest capital growth at 1.2% and retail the lowest at 0.2% while 12 month total return fell again to 16.2%. Investment volume from January to July was £38.4 billion, up from £30.1 billion for the same period of 2014. ‘Normally a rise in interest rates signals that the UK economy has moved into a period of excess, and the Bank of England has decided it is time to rein back inflationary pressures. So it is unusual to find widespread discussion on when interest rates will rise at a time when inflation is largely absent, and could stay that way for some time,’ said James Roberts chief economist at Knight Frank. ‘However, this rate increase is different. It is a sign the UK economy, like the US, is getting near to the day it can throw away the crutches of very low interest rates. Indeed, UK policymakers now want the safety net of higher rates. Should we hit another economic crisis, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will thus have the option of cutting rates before resorting to printing money,’ he explained. ‘Parts of Europe presently have negative interest rates, and were some fresh disaster to unfold, they would have little choice other than to plunge further into the minus figures, or print money. All this increases the UK’s safe haven credentials. This probably explains why at present the commercial property industry seems to be so little concerned about the approach of higher interest rates,’ he pointed out. ‘When presenting to clients on the UK market one is more likely to be asked about the impact of the EU in/out referendum, or even the Chinese slowdown, than a rate rise. We live in a world of hedges and swaps which soften the impact of rate rises, and the Bank of England is giving lots of guidance to prevent firms and households from being wrong footed. So while the cost of debt will rise, most borrowers will be ready for the change,’ he added. Roberts explained that the Bank’s guidance is that rates will rise gradually over a long period, and there are very good reasons for this gradual strategy. ‘Financial institutions hold lots of Gilts, so big and sudden losses on bonds could reopen systemic uncertainties initially. Also, thinking back on those countries where rates are negative or nearly zero, if UK rates move too far ahead, then carry trade money will flood into British banks, with the risk of creating a future lending bubble,’ he said. ‘Moreover, the MPC’s… Continue reading
