Property Market gains pace.
Zoopla’s latest House Price Index (https://www.zoopla.co.uk/discover/property-news/house-price-index-buying/) has revealed that demand for homes has improved. All regions of the UK rose by 12% in September. This followed a decline over the summer months largely due to mortgage rate rises.
This uptick in enquiries is partly seasonal. However, it also reflects improved consumer confidence, which is at a two-year high. Add to this homeowner expectations of lower mortgage rates which are currently on track to fall below 5%. The closer rates get to 4%, the more buyers will come back into the market – further supporting demand and sales agreed.
Firstly, demand has improved across all regions in the UK.
Secondly, demand is up 19% in the East & South East over the past three weeks and 16% in London.
Thirdly, the number of new sales agreed has also increased and is closely tracking 2019 levels.
Buyers remain unwilling to compromise despite lower buying power.
Despite mortgage rates over 5% delivering a significant 20% reduction to household buying power compared to early 2022, home hunters remain unwilling to make compromises on the size of home they are looking for.
This is highlighted by the share of buyer demand by property type and size. This is virtually the same as a year ago. Now many buyers are holding out for either a fall in house prices or mortgage rates.
This unwillingness to compromise is also explained by the fact that buying a home is a big expensive life event. Younger buyers are taking longer mortgages to boost their buying power in comparison to previous generations.
Richard Donnell, Executive Director at Zoopla says: “The housing market continues to adjust to a higher mortgage rate environment. Better news on inflation and the end of base rate increases has provided scope for lenders to start reducing mortgage rates which has supported a modest uptick in demand for homes this September. Buyers continue to remain cautious and many are waiting for better value for money and improved affordability from lower house prices or further falls in mortgage rates before returning to the market.
“House price falls have been modest with the average house still 17% more expensive than before the start of the pandemic. Forbearance by lenders, tougher mortgage regulations over recent years and a strong labour market appear to have moderated the stress in the market compared to previous cycles that would have driven larger price reductions.
“House prices will continue to drift lower, especially in southern England, ending the year 2-3% lower meaning falling mortgage rates are required to boost activity and attract buyers back into the market.”
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