UK Housing Market activity still high among “serious buyers and sellers”
A drop in valuations and viewings indicates a shift in market appetite, but housing market activity remains on a par with 2022 levels.
Interest rates rise to 5.25%: here’s what it could mean for mortgages
The Bank of England (BoE) has announced an increase of 0.25% to its Base Rate this month. This is the 14th consecutive rise, and has pushed interest rates to 5.25%, which is the highest they’ve been for 15 years.
Demand for garden offices remains strong following pandemic
While searches for ‘garden offices’ in the UK peaked during the height of the pandemic, new data released by L&G has revealed that demand for hybrid working has largely remained, with the number of homes on the market that feature a garden office also rising.
House Price Index July 2023
Higher mortgage rates are reducing buying power, with family homes in the south bearing the brunt of the hit. Find out what's happening across the UK. Annual UK house price inflation slows to +0.6%, Modest annual price falls of up to -2.2% concentrated in southern England and markets with an average price over £300,000.
Home insurance hacks: How to keep your premiums low
Home insurance is essential for homeowners, but when living costs are so high it’s worth checking you are not paying over the odds. Here are some tips to make sure you are getting good value from your premiums.
How to make an offer on a home and get it accepted
Once you find the right property for you, you naturally want to secure it as soon as possible. But first comes the bidding process, which is your opportunity to negotiate on the asking price.
What smells will sell your house?
For Brits looking to sell their home, new research has revealed the smells which could make their house more desirable to potential buyers.
What the Energy Price Cap reduction means for energy bills
After more than a year of rising energy bills, regulator Ofgem has announced a reduction in the Energy Price Cap from July to September. This is because wholesale energy prices are starting to fall. But Ofgem says it’s unlikely that prices will return soon to the levels we saw before the energy crisis began.
House Price Index June 2023
Falling mortgage rates over H1 2023 boosted sales and led to firmer prices. This is set to reverse in H2 as higher mortgage rates hit buying power at a time when sellers are having to accept larger discounts to asking prices.
What to do if you need to remortgage
Homeowners face heftier mortgage costs as rates rise. High mortgage rates are proving a shock to hundreds of thousands of homeowners looking to remortgage in 2023.