China Economics Update Housing downturn set to weigh on growth in Hong Kong A plunge in home sales in February is the latest sign that Hong Kong’s overheated property market is now in the midst of a correction. We expect the housing market downturn to weigh on economic growth... 15th March 2016 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update What is the outlook for bank funding costs? Since the turn of the year, market jitters have made longer-term wholesale bank funding more expensive. But cheap short-term funds may prevent a sharp rise in deposit rates, and therefore keep funding... 15th March 2016 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Is the end of the housing boom near? The housing boom has been a key support to the economy over the past few years, but its end is in sight. While media headlines focus on the continuing booms in Toronto and Vancouver, the fallout in... 11th March 2016 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response RICS Residential Market Survey (Feb.) The new buyer enquiries balance dipped a little in February – a tentative sign that the surge of buyers ahead of April’s stamp duty deadline may have already peaked. 10th March 2016 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Lenders and Administrators Statistics (Q4) Loan to income ratios rose again in the final quarter of 2015, as the high level of house prices forced buyers to take on larger debts. But with the path for interest rates looking much shallower than... 8th March 2016 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Chart Pack Mortgage interest rates drop back to under 4% The turmoil in financial markets during February led to a flight to safe assets which pushed the 10-year Treasury yield down to 1.78%, its lowest level since early 2013, and also led to a drop in... 7th March 2016 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Nationwide and Halifax House Prices (Feb.) Nationwide recorded a small rise in house prices during February, while the Halifax recorded a sizable dip. This suggests that the rush to transact ahead of the stamp duty surcharge has not yet had a... 3rd March 2016 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Applications (Feb.) The slight 5.2% m/m fall in mortgage applications for home purchase in February is not a sign that housing demand is tailing off. With mortgage affordability set to remain favourable and more... 2nd March 2016 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Lending (Jan.) Mortgage approvals picked up in January, as buyers rush to transact before the stamp duty surcharge comes into force. But once the April deadline passes, we expect the upward pressure on approvals... 29th February 2016 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Land Registry Repeat Sales Index (Jan.) According to the Land Registry, house price growth saw a sizable jump in January. But there is only limited evidence that house prices are responding to the influx of landlord buyers seeking to avoid... 26th February 2016 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Update How important are foreclosures for housing inventory? The return to more normal levels of foreclosure activity has removed one factor that was helping to support the inventory of existing homes for sale. But foreclosures are clearly not a sustainable way... 25th February 2016 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Housebuilding (Q4) Housing starts picked up in the final quarter of 2015. And while demand for newbuilds appears healthy, lingering labour shortages are likely to prevent housing starts from taking off this year. 25th February 2016 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Focus Is another bubble inflating in Japan’s housing market? There has been some recent talk of froth returning to Japan’s housing market but prices, other than for condominiums, are not rising at a rapid rate. With debt levels also stable, there are no signs... 25th February 2016 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response BBA Mortgage Lending (Jan.) Today’s BBA data recorded a sharp rise in mortgage approvals for house purchase. This points to a mortgage market that is heating up, as landlords and second home owners rush to transact before the... 24th February 2016 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Case-Shiller Prices / Existing Home Sales (Dec./Jan.) The surprise rise in existing home sales in January provides further evidence that housing demand is being supported by very low mortgage interest rates and a strong jobs market. But with inventory... 23rd February 2016 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Chart Pack London Housing Chart Book - Outer London driving house price growth Outer London has been outshining the previously stronger central London boroughs. Transactions volumes there have stabilised, while house price growth has been racing ahead. But rapid price growth is... 18th February 2016 · 1 min read
