Uk housing market news
Here are some recent news and updates on the UK housing market:
Market Trends:
- The UK housing market has seen a slowdown in recent months, with prices falling by 0.4% in the year to January 2023, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
- The average UK house price is now around £270,000, according to the ONS.
- The number of property transactions has also fallen, with a 12% decline in the number of sales in the year to January 2023, according to the UK's largest property portal, Rightmove.
Interest Rates:
- The Bank of England has raised interest rates several times in recent months to combat inflation, which has had a impact on the housing market.
- The base rate is now at 4.25%, the highest level since 2009, which has made it more expensive for people to borrow money to buy or remortgage a property.
Brexit:
- The UK's departure from the European Union (Brexit) has had a significant impact on the housing market, particularly in London and the South East.
- The uncertainty surrounding Brexit has led to a decline in property prices and a slowdown in the number of property transactions.
Regional Variations:
- The housing market is experiencing different trends in different parts of the UK.
- For example, prices are falling in London and the South East, while they are rising in some parts of the North and Midlands.
- The North East and Yorkshire and the Humber are among the regions with the highest house price growth rates.
Government Policies:
- The UK government has introduced several policies aimed at stimulating the housing market, including a stamp duty holiday for first-time buyers and a Help to Buy scheme.
- The government has also announced plans to build more affordable homes and to increase the supply of housing in the UK.
Industry Insights:
- The UK's largest estate agents, such as Countrywide and Foxtons, have reported a decline in property sales and a fall in profits.
- Some experts are predicting that the housing market will continue to slow down in the coming months, while others believe that it will recover once the uncertainty surrounding Brexit is resolved.
Recent News:
- The UK's housing market has been hit by a shortage of properties for sale, with the number of homes on the market falling by 12% in the year to January 2023, according to Rightmove.
- The government has announced plans to introduce a new tax on foreign buyers of UK property, in an effort to reduce the impact of overseas investors on the housing market.
- The UK's largest mortgage lender, Nationwide, has reported a decline in mortgage approvals, citing the impact of rising interest rates and economic uncertainty.