Amidst national uncertainty, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released pricing data for March 2020. These figures show a steady increase in average property values of 2.1% per annum.
The ONS has confirmed that it will shortly release the housing prices for April 2020. After this, the index will close temporarily due to the shortage of transactions able to complete.
What Is The Average UK House Price?
The vital question for property buyers is how these values impact housing prices. Using this ONS data, the current UK average property costs £231,855, which shows a small decrease of 0.2% on a month-by-month basis.
How Do House Prices Vary Regionally?
Northern Ireland House Prices - This year Northern Ireland has grown the most significantly, showing a rise of 3.8% per annum, making the average property value £140,580. On a monthly comparison, this is a drop of 0.1%.
England House Prices - England saw an annual rise of 2.2%, bringing the average property sale price to £248,271 in March 2020. The comparable monthly movement is also a 0.1% drop.
Wales House Prices - The annual increase in property prices in Wales grew by 1.1% to £161,684. The month-by-month decline was steeper, at 2.8%.
Scotland House Prices - The lowest annual growth was in Scotland, with a 1.5% rise bringing average prices to £151,856. Contrastingly, the monthly comparison shows growth, with a 0.4% rise.
Positive Signs For UK Housing Market Growth
The index pause is a sensible move since it avoids producing misrepresentative figures that do not reflect the reality of the climate within the UK housing market until regular trading resumes.
We predict that, due to a backlog of completions, once trading restores to pre-pandemic levels, this will result in a bounce back and continue the growth experienced before April.
Sale volumes and prices were increasing steadily, and now that the markets have been able to begin reopening lenders are reporting similar demand and mortgage offers in line with those before the lockdown period began.
The Housing Market Bounce Back
Not only will government stimuli help the market quickly resume normal trading levels, but also lenders are looking to expand their flexibility to help keep sales moving.
Revolution Finance Brokers have continued supporting our clients throughout the lockdown. We can secure attractive LTV ratios for investors and property buyers seeking competitive mortgages for new property purchases.
LTV Ratios Available on Mortgage Applications
Extensions to lending are available now, including:
90% LTV lending on residential property purchases and remortgages
85% LTV lending on new-build properties
75% LTV on Help To Buy mortgage applications
These extended lending policies are making applications more likely to succeed, with generous lending caps enabling funding providers to extend higher lending values against the cost of your property purchase.
New Mortgage Offers
There are several advantageous offers on the market. If you are looking to buy and need advice understanding which would be most beneficial for your mortgage requirements and budget, give the team a call, and we will be delighted to talk them through!
Offers include:
Two-year and five-year lending at 90% LTV with rates of 2.32% and 2.43% available against each respective loan term. These offers carry a £495 arrangement fee alongside £500 of cashback.
Help to Buy two-year product at 60% LTV with a fixed 1.93% interest rate, also carrying a £495 arrangement fee with £500 of cashback on offer.
Help to Buy five-year product at 75% LTV with a fixed 1.99% interest rate, with a corresponding £995 arrangement fee, and added value benefits including £750 cashback and a free valuation included.
Buy-To-Let five-year offers at 60% LTV and three-year LTV remortgages with free legal services included.
The Best Time To Buy
These competitive offers are helping property buyers jump on to the property ladder, with fixed rates, attractive benefits and high LTV lending assisting the market with returning to a climate of growth.
This news is excellent for investors, with mortgage rates and terms available across the board for all types of buyers.
Professional Mortgage Advice
To take full advantage of the current market deals, give Revolution Finance Brokers a call on 0330 304 3040. Our specialist mortgage team scour the market for the highest quality lenders offering enticing rates, so if you are planning the perfect time to make your move, it is time to act!
Contact us now to discuss your personal options, Revolution Finance Brokers specialise in commercial and residential finance in Essex, Kent, London and Hertfordshire.
