U.K's Housing Market Experiences a 14-Year High Annual Decline
Decline in House Prices
Reported by the Nationwide, a Swindon-based building society, house prices have dropped by nearly one per cent in August. Over the past year, this represents a 5.3 per cent decline from the peak of the previous year, translating to an annual decrease of about £14,600 on an average home price.
Impact on Homeowners and Potential Buyers
As Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest, a DIY investment platform and coaching service, pointed out, the housing market in Britain continued to cool down in August. Prices fell by 5.3 per cent on the year, marking the weakest annual rate in 14 years. This dip comes as a response to soaring mortgage rates and consistently high living costs. For homeowners looking to inject some modern style into their homes amidst the falling prices, one option could be creating a modern bathroom in your London house or apartment.
Current Mortgage Affordability
Fourteen interest rate increases since December 2021 have made mortgage affordability a significant challenge, particularly for first-time buyers and existing homeowners looking to refinance. Those who secured cheap fixed-rate mortgages in 2021 now face significantly higher repayment levels, potentially jeopardising disposable household incomes.
First-Time Buyers and Mortgage Options
First-time buyers might find monthly rents to be less than home loan payments unless they consider an extended mortgage term, like 30 or 40 years, to reduce repayments. With the Bank of England potentially increasing the interest rate for the fifteenth time this month, the outlook for the property market remains bleak.
Effect on the Property Market
July saw a nearly 10 per cent decline in mortgage approvals, with net mortgage lending increasing by just £200m on the previous month. This weaker lending data is expected to further impact house prices, intensifying the effect of high interest rates on the property market. However, there has been some relief for buyers as mortgage rates have eased from their July highs, with some major lenders starting to compete more aggressively for business.