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UK mortgage lending expected to see steady growth in next two years
The value of home lending in the UK increased across all residential sectors in December but there is a mixed picture in terms of growth and decline, according to the latest data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders. New data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders reveals a mixed picture on lending in December to November. However, on an annual basis, the value of lending grew across all lending types and the CML expects steady growth in the next two years. First time buyers borrowed £4.5 billion for home owner house purchase, up 7% on November and 18% on December last year. This totalled 29,300 loans, up 6% month on month and 11% year on year. Home movers borrowed £6.6 billion, up 2% on November and 20% year on year. This totalled 33,400 loans, up 3% month on month and 12% compared to December 2014. However, home owner remortgage activity was down 16% by volume and 16% by value compared to November. Compared to December 2014, remortgage lending was up 14% by volume and up 24% by value. Gross buy to let saw month on month decreases, down 3% by volume and 3% by value, but the growth year on year continued. The data also shows that first time buyers took out 87,100 loans totalling £13.3 billion to purchase homes. This was up by volume 3% on the third quarter and 14% on the fourth quarter 2014 and by value it was up 3% quarter on quarter and 8% year on year. Home movers took out 101,900 loans, down 1% quarter on quarter but up 9% compared to the fourth quarter 2014. This totalled £20.3 billion, down 3% on quarter three but up 18% year on year. Home owner remortgage activity was up 4% by volume and 6% by value compared to the third quarter. Compared to the fourth quarter 2014, remortgage lending was up 21% by volume and up 35% by value. Gross buy to let saw a slight quarter on quarter decrease, down 1% by volume and 1% by value, but year on year growth continues. First time buyers borrowed £46.7 billion for home owner house purchase in 2015, which was up 4% on 2014. This totalled 311,700 loans, unchanged from the previous year. First time buyer lending was at its highest since 2007. Home movers took out 365,800 loans, down 0.2% on 2014, but the amount borrowed totalled £72.1 billion was up 7% on 2014. Lending was at its annual highest since 2007. Home owner remortgage activity was up 11% by volume and 20% by value compared to 2014. The value of remortgage lending was at its highest since 2008. Gross buy to let also saw year on year increases, up 28% by volume and 39% by value. Buy to let lending was at its highest since 2007. ‘Improving economic conditions, boosted by government schemes like… Continue reading
UK house prices dipped slightly in December, say latest ONS figures
UK house prices increased by 6.7% in the year to December 2015, down from 7.7% in the year to November 2015, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). Prices were up year on year by 7.3% in England, by 1% in Wales, and by 1.5% in Northern Ireland but fell by 0.2% in Scotland. The annual growth in England were driven by an annual increase in the East of 9.7%, in London by 9.4% and in the South East by 8.8%. Excluding London and the South East, UK house prices increased by 5.1% in the 12 months to December 2015 but on a seasonally adjusted basis, average house prices decreased by 0.2% between November 2015 and December 2015. The data also shows that in December 2015 prices paid by first time buyers were 6.4% higher on average than in December 2014 while for owner occupiers (existing owners), prices increased by 6.9% for the same period. Average mix-adjusted house prices in December 2015 stood at £301,000 in England, £175,000 in Wales, £193,000 in Scotland and £148,000 in Northern Ireland. According to Peter Rollings, chief executive officer of Marsh & Parsons, existing home owners have every reason to be in high spirits after the tenacious house price growth experienced in 2015 which saw average values break through the £300,000 barrier. He also believes that buyers climbing onto or up the property ladder are hitting the ground running, on the back of favourable mortgage deals and support schemes from the government. ‘In London, we’ve seen new buyer registrations in January increase 24% on last year, which bodes well for purchase activity in the opening months of 2016. Landlords and investors in particular will be in a hurry to secure their preferred property before the additional 3% Stamp Duty becomes liable on second homes in April,’ he said. ‘But with annual house price growth in London just shy of double digits, first time buyers and those trading up also can’t afford to hang about either. The prime central London market has been challenged and unsettled by steeper Stamp Duty, but in lower priced boroughs further out of the centre, high demand and low supply of properties coming up for sale are sustaining strong price rises,’ he added. Adrian Gill, director of Reeds Rains and Your Move estate agents, believes that the property market is developing into the strongest sellers’ market since the recession. ‘December may have weathered the first month on month stumble in house price growth for eight months, but on average, property prices are still increasing at more than twice the pace of earnings, which is certainly jubilant news for existing home owners,’ he said. ‘Potential sellers would be advised to get their property on the market now to take advantage of the spring surge that is already following these figures for December. But rising prices make it tougher for those still hoping to climb onto the… Continue reading
A south facing garden doesn’t push up a property’s price, study shows
Despite estate agents and property experts in the UK espousing the benefits of a south facing garden, this is not reflected in the asking price, new research has found. An analysis of property asking prices reveals homes with south facing gardens carry a mere 0.37% premium compared to properties with north facing gardens. South facing gardens have long been touted as desirable because they typically get the sun for most of the day and are therefore thought to be warmer and brighter, but it appears this isn’t reflected in property prices. River views however do carry a higher cost, averaging 9% compared to identical properties located on the same development without this sought after outlook, according to the study commissioned by Direct Line Home Insurance. In one North London development, a three bedroom property with a river view has an asking price of £850,000, some 42% more than an identically proportioned and designed property elsewhere in the development that costs £600,000. The research also reveals that in many cities if you live higher in a new development, you pay a significant premium for the privilege. One developer informed researchers they added a £15,000 premium to the asking price for every floor, bringing new meaning to the phrase ‘sky high’ prices. An apartment on the fourteenth floor of a new London development five minutes from Angel tube station is on the market for £850,000, which is 31% more expensive than an identical property on the third floor. In a new development near London’s Colindale station a one bedroom flat on the fourth floor costs £438,950 while an identical property on the eighth floor is on the market for £475,000. ‘The research highlights that south facing premiums may well be a myth, but a room with a view comes with a hefty price tag. People are prepared to pay thousands more for the same amenities and layout because a property is located higher in a building, has a more scenic vista, or because it overlooks water,’ said Katie Lomas, head of Direct Line Home Insurance. ‘However, while picturesque river views are much admired it is worth noting properties built near water may cost more to insure because of increased flood risk. Purchasers should check the likely cost of insurance before they commit to buy,’ she added. Continue reading
