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Asking prices up across UK led by Scotland and East Anglia

Asking prices have risen across all regions in England, Scotland and Wales over the last month, reflecting widespread positive sentiment across the UK, the latest index suggests. However, higher prices are also tempting vendors to put their properties on the market and the supply of property for sale in London, for example, has overtaken demand, according to the latest index from Home.co.uk. This is shown by a steep rise in the typical time on market which is currently 71 days, some 24 days longer than in March 2014, the report points out, although supply rises in other regions are much more muted. Asking price rises are led by East Anglia and Scotland, both with a monthly rise of 1.4%, and annual rises of 6.2% and 8% respectively. The report also says that an optimism abounds as even in the least well performing areas of the North East and Wales, prices have risen 0.4% and 0.3% respectively since February. A breakdown of the figures show that asking prices in London prices increased a further 2.1% despite rising supply and are up 31% year on year. While asking prices have increased by 1.1% overall in England and Wales during the last month but the average annual appreciation has fallen to 6.8%. Overall, the current mix-adjusted average asking price for England and Wales shows that properties on the market are valued 6.8% higher than they were in March 2014. The typical time on market for England and Wales is now 119 days, which is eight days less than this time last year, and shows that the market continues to gain momentum overall. ‘House prices are surging again, over and above seasonal expectations. The key market drivers of low mortgage interest rates and low supply remain very much in place,’ said Doug Shephard, Home.co.uk director. He pointed out that so far, the market correction in prime central London has not affected sentiment elsewhere in the country, and the flow of mortgage credit to homebuyers and property investors alike continues unabated. ‘We maintain that the best prospects for stable growth this year and next probably lie in regions such as East Anglia, East Midlands, the South West, West Midlands and perhaps Yorkshire. It may be argued that these regions are still in the throes of the recovery phase, as supply remains low and prices have not yet risen out of reach,’ he explained. ‘There are also further indicators that the recovery will, at last, lift the northern regions out of the misery of price stagnation. Those markets are gaining momentum and above inflation price rises look highly likely over the coming months,’ he added. He also pointed out that while prospects for price growth are poor for prime central London this year as an abundance of unsold stock has been whittling away at property values, for the time being, prices do appear to be stabilising. ‘The investment outlook for Greater London remains mixed but will slowly turn… Continue reading

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Extent of UK mortgage market change shown in annual stats

Home lending fell to £51.3 billion in the final three months of 2014, a drop of 8.1% compared with the previous quarter but was just 0.2% lower than the same quarter in 2013, new data shows. The figures from the Bank of England also shows that new commitments also decreased, from £53.6 billion in the third quarter of 2014 to £46.3 billion in the fourth quarter, a decrease of 8% compared with the final quarter of 2013. The proportion of gross advances at fixed rates decreased for the first time in nine quarters falling to 82.2% in the fourth quarter from 82.6% in the previous quarter. The quarter three out turn was highest since the figures began at the beginning of 2007. The value of residential loans advanced to first time buyers decreased over the quarter to £11.2 billion from £12.1 billion in the previous quarter and the third quarter out turn was the highest since the third quarter of 2007. Buy to let (BTL) lending increased from £6.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013 to £7.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2014 and the proportion of gross advances at an LTV over 90% decreased by 0.5% over the quarter to 3.8% in the fourth quarter of 2014. The figures show overall that the lending landscape has been extensively reshaped over the past year, according to Adrian Gill, director of Your Move and Reeds Rains estate agents. ‘Fresh regulations and affordability checks have cultivated a much healthier mortgage market. Mortgage approvals may take longer to come to fruition, but buyers are benefiting from a more thorough and considered borrowing process,’ he explained. He believes that in the longer term, providing customers with the most suitable mortgage product for their needs is of paramount importance at a time when front-end demand is beginning to blossom in 2015, as consumer confidence grows. ‘Slashed stamp duty fees and more gradual house price growth are bringing homeownership closer within reach of aspiring buyers, while at the same time rock bottom inflation and competitive mortgage deals are giving borrowers a boost,’ he pointed out. ‘Buyers are finding brilliant deals on homes, and this front-end sales activity will soon trickle down to completions, feeding the property recovery,’ he added. Continue reading

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Many UK tenants feel they are ripped off by landlords and agents

Private rental sector tenants in the UK feel they are being ripped off by landlords and agents, especially on fees at the start of a tenancy, new research suggests. The study shows that 65% of respondents believe they have faced unreasonable fees and charges, according to the poll by Property Let By Us. A further 73% said they have had unreasonable deductions from their deposit and one in six tenants complained about unreasonable rent rises. According to Jane Morris, managing director of Property Let By Us there are a few agents charging excessive fees, but an Advertising Standards Authority ruling in 2014 has made the industry much more transparent with charges. ‘However, there is more that the industry could do to educate tenants on how fees are charged and for what. Many tenants don’t understand what they are being charged for and why. Honest and open communication with tenants is key for both landlords and agents. If all fees and charges are explained to tenants, they are more likely to be comfortable them,’ she explained. She also pointed out if letting agent fees are banned by a potential Labour government, tenants could be faced with higher rents, with the charges being absorbed. ‘The bottom line is that essential costs relating to inventories, reference checks and administration have to be carried out before the tenancy can start. Banning fees will not save tenants cash in the long run,’ she added. Continue reading

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