UK Housing Market Update Drop in sentiment suggests prices will lose some steam The sharp downturn in consumer confidence in February showed that the cost of living crisis was starting to bite even before the war in Ukraine began. But despite the worrying correlation between... 3rd March 2022 · 3 mins read
UK Commercial Property Update The impact of the invasion of Ukraine on UK property Much has been made of UK property’s openness to Russian money following the invasion of Ukraine. But since the depreciation of the Russian ruble in 2014, Russians have become far less important to... 25th February 2022 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Update Higher rates will leave homes overvalued Our new, higher interest rate forecast suggests that mortgage rates will climb to an eight-year high in 2023, making house prices look expensive by historical standards. But the overvaluation won’t be... 15th February 2022 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Update Rental growth on the launchpad We already expected that rental growth would surge to a decade-high this year. But the strength of leading indicators and the low level of rents relative to income by historical standards suggest... 11th February 2022 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Update The anatomy of the pandemic price boom A breakdown of house price growth over the past two years confirms that remote working has altered the nation’s housing needs. But what households can afford, rather than what they desire, will be a... 19th January 2022 · 3 mins read
UK Commercial Property Update Which assets can provide the best inflation protection? Recent data have reinforced concerns about inflation risks in the UK. We remain of the view that property investments provide only limited long-term protection against higher prices, but of the... 14th January 2022 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Update UK house price growth set for a year of two halves Strong demand will ensure that house prices maintain their momentum in the first half of the year. But rising mortgage rates will weigh on demand further out, causing prices to cool. 6th January 2022 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Update Interest rate lift off highlights risks While the hike in Bank Rate from 0.10% to 0.25% came a little earlier than we expected, it does not change our view that the overall rise in interest rates over the next couple of years will be modest... 16th December 2021 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Update End of affordability test opens door to larger mortgages While mortgage lending slowed in Q3 as the stamp duty holiday was tapered, an easing of deposit requirements supported first-time buyer demand. Meanwhile, the Financial Policy Committee’s plan to... 14th December 2021 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Update Will the squeeze on real incomes hit real house prices? Consumers will feel a squeeze on their finances next year as inflation and taxes rise. That will take some wind out of the housing market’s sails, but it will not cause a correction. Note: Central... 13th December 2021 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Update 300,000 supply target remains out of reach The most comprehensive statistics on housing supply confirmed that the pause in construction in Q2 2020 caused completions of new homes to drop back. Housebuilding activity has since recovered but... 29th November 2021 · 5 mins read
UK Housing Market Update Where is all the stock? Estate agents undoubtedly have a very limited number of homes on the books. But the idea that the lack of supply is due to few homes being put up for sale is a misconception. High numbers of... 24th November 2021 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Update Increase in mortgage rates to be limited Anticipation of higher interest rates has pushed up fixed mortgage rates. And with scope for banks to absorb higher costs in their margins now exhausted, future changes in interest rate expectations... 12th November 2021 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Update Dovish surprise reduces housing market risks The indication from the Bank of England that Bank Rate of 1.25% would be too high for the economy suggests that the forthcoming rise in interest rates won’t be anywhere near large enough to topple the... 5th November 2021 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Update Materials shortages restrain construction Shortages of construction materials are unlikely to ease for at least another 6-12 months, restraining activity in the renovation sector and among smaller housebuilders That is likely to cap housing... 21st October 2021 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Update Modest rate hikes won’t prevent house price gains We doubt that a larger rise in Bank Rate over the next two years than we previously expected will put much upward pressure on mortgage rates. Low interest rates and increased spending on housing costs... 1st October 2021 · 3 mins read