Tag Archives: british
Research reveals how properties near top schools and universities hold value
Properties in England and Wales located close to independent schools and university towns hold their value and are able to recover faster from a housing market downturn than average UK properties, new research shows. Overall average property prices of homes within a two mile radius of an independent school have outperformed the national average. House prices close to independent schools currently stand at 116% of their 2007 market peak, this compares to 98% for England and Wales as a whole. In 2014 the average property price stood at £173,500 while the average price paid for a property within a two mile radius of an independent school was £354,000, according to the study published by estate agents Hamptons International. The same pattern can be seen in the capital’s housing market. In London property prices are on average 30% higher than at the peak of the market in 2007 but for those homes close to an independent school they are 66% higher. Homes near to some of London’s best known schools have significantly outperformed the London average. Properties close to Westminster School are now 100% higher than the 2007 peak and at St Pauls School are 75% above peak levels. In the South East and South West of England average house prices have returned to 2007 levels, but for those homes close to independent schools values are on average 17% higher. The research also found that the South and South West of England attract the greatest number of overseas students. Two thirds of universities with more than 10% overseas students are located in the South and South West of the country. It pointed out that universities contribute to local economies and act as a support to house prices and rental growth. Furthermore universities often attract large scale employers, such as the science parks around Cambridge and Oxford, who in turn generate demand for housing. ‘The UK is recognised the world over for the quality of its education. For many overseas parents with children studying in the UK this is a catalyst to investing in property – be this a student flat or larger family home. The UK’s stable legal and political system, together with an economy that is growing some three faster than the Eurozone, makes the UK an attractive proposition to many overseas investors,’ said Fionnuala Earley, director of research at Hamptons International. ‘While house prices across England and Wales remain 10% below their pre-crisis peak, this figure masks significant regional variations. The average house price in London is now 30% above the 2007 market peak and other areas of the country are playing catch-up. Capital values in London may have softened recently but they are still 12% higher than this time last year. And as the recovery spreads, so the prospects for the rest of the country are looking good,’ she explained. ‘For overseas investors looking to buy in the UK our research shows that average property prices within a two… Continue reading
US pending home sales up for fourth month in a row, latest index shows
Pending home sales in the United States rose in April for the fourth straight month and reached their highest level in nine years, according to the latest data. This rise was led by the Northeast and Midwest, but all four major regions saw increases in April, according to the pending home sales index from the National Association of Realtors. The forward looking indicator based on contract signings increased 3.4% to 112.4 in April from a slight upward revision of 108.7 in March and is now 14% above April 2014, the largest annual increase since September 2012. The index has now increased year on year for eight consecutive months and is at its highest level since May 2006 when it was 112.5. According to Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, the steady gains in contract activity each month this year highlight the fact that buyer demand is strong. ‘Real estate agents are saying foot traffic remains elevated this spring despite limited, and in some cases severe, inventory shortages in many metro areas,’ he said. ‘Home owners looking to sell this spring appear to be in the driver's seat, as there are more buyers competing for a limited number of homes available for sale. As a result, home prices are up and accelerating in many markets,’ he added. Following April's decline in existing home sales, Yun expects a rebound heading into the summer, but the likelihood of meaningful gains will depend on a much needed boost in inventory and evidence of moderating price growth now that interest rates have started to rise. ‘The housing market can handle interest rates well above 4% as long as inventory improves to slow price growth and underwriting standards ease to normal levels so that qualified buyers, especially first time buyers, are able to obtain a mortgage,’ explained Yun. After falling four straight months, the index in the Northeast bounced back solidly, up 10.1% to 88.3 in April, and is now 9.4% above a year ago. In the Midwest the index increased 5% to 113 in April, and is 13.3% above April 2014. Continue reading
UK housing market confidence falls slightly
Confidence in the UK housing market has fallen slightly despite the fact that interest rates were held again and average house prices continued to increase. According to the latest monthly Halifax Housing Market Confidence Tracker the headline House Price Outlook balance, that is the difference between the proportion of people across Britain that expect the average property price to rise less the proportion who think it will fall, slipped to +58 compared with +64 in March 2015. At the same time the net proportion of consumers who now believe the next 12 months will be a good time to buy has increased from +21 in March to +26 in April. Conversely, the net proportion who think that the next year will be a good time to sell has fallen from +33 to +30. The research found that 63% expected the average property price to be higher in one year’s time which is significantly lower than the 67% who said this in March and this is despite a number of positive short term factors. These include the emergence of record low mortgage rates, falling swap rates, GDP growth falling to its slowest pace in three years and Office of National Statistics figures showing negative inflation of 0.1% in April. MPC minutes also showed a unanimous vote to keep rates on hold at 0.5% in the latest meeting. These, along with other factors, such as rising employment levels, should start to see the consumer housing outlook improve over the next few months, according to Craig McKinlay, Halifax mortgages director. ‘With inflation now at its lowest level since records began, unemployment falling, and the economy still growing, the fundamentals for the housing market remain positive. Going forward the key factor in how consumers adjust to any changes in rates will be the way in which they manage their disposable income,’ he said. Continue reading
