Buy-to-lose? With new restrictions on buy-to-let mortgages and the introduction of other punitive measures in 2017, is there any value left in letting for mortgaged landlords? January 11, 2017 As we enter 2017, the tide has truly turned against Britain’s buy-to-let landlords. First, George Osborne discouraged people from buying a second residential property by imposing extra stamp duty of 3 per cent. Now, the Bank of England is demanding that mortgage lenders “stress test” loans to landlords. Since 1 January, the Bank’s Prudential Regulation [...]
UK home-buying stays solid in November but consumer credit rises by highest amount since 2005 says the Bank of England January 4, 2017 British house purchase numbers stayed flat in November, but still remained steady above pre-referendum levels, while UK consumer borrowing increased by the most since March 2005. UK banks approved 67,505 mortgages in November, compared to 67,371 in October, according to the Bank of England (BoE), but remortgaging levels rose to the highest levels since October [...]
Bad Christmas: Housebuilder share prices are falling December 28, 2016 Shares in the UK's largest housebuilders fell today, after a profit warning from one, as well as disappointing mortgage figures. Bovis was the biggest faller on the FTSE 250, with shares falling 4.8 per cent to 815.5p in lunchtime trading after it warned on profits, saying it expected to complete on fewer homes than anticipated [...]
A sign of things to come? Mortgage approvals fall in November, although consumers are still borrowing at ultra-low rates December 28, 2016 Mortgage approvals are nine per cent lower than the same point last year, but UK consumers were still borrowing to power the economy in the five months after EU referendum. The number of house purchase mortgage approvals fell slightly in November to 40,659, down from 40,835 in October, according to the British Bankers’ Association (BBA), [...]
Property market predictions 2017: From Brexit to tenant fee bans, we’ve asked London’s biggest real estate agents to look into their crystal balls December 8, 2016 2017 will see the rise of Build-to-Rent in London Mark Collins, chairman at CBRE Residential Throughout 2017, I hope that SME developers continue to be championed and encouraged by local government, as these housebuilders will play a major role in alleviating the housing crisis. Access to land and financial support as well as flexible planning systems [...]
UK house price growth slowed again in November December 1, 2016 House prices grew by 0.1 per cent in November, with the rate of growth slowing to 4.4 per cent from 4.6 per cent in October, and analysts pointed to market uncertainty and cautious buyers and sellers having a cooling effect on the sector. The Nationwide House Prices Index showed the average price of a house [...]
UK consumer borrowing continues to rise in October November 29, 2016 Lending to UK households grew in October, as British consumers continued to borrow money in spite of the vote to leave the European Union. Consumer credit grew by an annual rate of 10.5 per cent in October, marginally faster than the 10.4 per cent rate reported for September. This translates to an increase of £1.6bn [...]
UK mortgage approvals enjoyed a steady increase in October as post-referendum growth continues November 29, 2016 Mortgage approvals in the UK rose to their highest point since March 2016 as the market continues last month's growth. Approvals had fallen steadily from May until August this year. According to the Bank of England, 67,518 mortgages were approved in October – up from the 63,594 approved in September. This adds up to £12bn of [...]
There was a surprise jump in mortgage approvals in October – but it’s not necessarily good news November 24, 2016 House price growth may be suffering, but that hasn't had any effect on mortgage borrowing: figures published today showed the number of mortgages approved jumped to 40,900 in October. That figure is above September's figure of 38,700 – and, crucially, above expectations of 39,000. But the British Bankers' Association, which published the figures, said mortgage [...]
This is what the property industry wants from the Autumn Statement November 18, 2016 The big day is almost here – Autumn Statement day. The housing crisis has been at the top of the political agenda for years, but successive governments have failed to get a handle on it. Chancellor Philip Hammond is promising new funding to help get Britain building, but the property industry wants a range of [...]