Property prices end 2010 on low

It has been revealed by a major High Street lender that property prices in the UK ended last year on a low, having slid from the start of the year. The price of property in the UK was said to be around 1.6 percent lower at the end of 2010 than at the start of the year. The data was released by the banking giant Halifax, which said that property prices fell by 1.3 percent in December compared to the previous month.

It is thought that property prices have been driven down by a number of factors. One of these is that many homeowners are flocking to sell their homes whereas there is a distinct lack of interest from buyers. This is because many buyers are unable to get the mortgage finance that they need due to continued restrictions in the mortgage market, and many others simply don’t want to make a huge financial commitment in the current financial climate and with the uncertain future with regards to jobs.

A spokesperson from the Halifax said that if homeowners become more reluctant to sell this year the falling property price trend could be halted. He also said that it was unlikely that there would be much change in terms of movement in the property market over the course of this year, and this was because interest rates were unlikely to change.

The Halifax said: “Current signs that homeowners are becoming more reluctant to sell would, if continued, help reverse the imbalance between buyers and sellers. Nonetheless, uncertainty about the economy, weak earnings growth and higher taxes could put some downward pressure on demand.”

Another mortgage expert added: “While there has been an easing down of prices, as supply has come through and demand has weakened, in certain towns and cities, not least the capital, the right type of property is still commanding the right sort of price.”

Tags: earnings growth, type, Real estate, climate, mortgage, percent, future

Every town has average house price above £100k

The latest proof that house prices in the UK are less affordable than ever before has been provided by Halifax.

The bank’s House Price Index shows that for the first time ever, the average house price in every UK town is above £100,000.

At the end of 2006 the average price in Lochgelly, Fife, was below this threshold but the latest figures put the average home in the region at £104,738.

Despite this, the town remains the cheapest in the UK, however, the same cannot be said for towns in Northern Ireland.

The province completely dominates the top ten biggest house price increases of the last 12 months, with the average price sitting at £206,495.

It has been a rapid rise for Northern Ireland to being the fourth most expensive part of the UK from being the second cheapest just two years ago.

Despite the rising prices throughout the UK, Halifax bank remains confident that we will soon see the market slowing.

“Overall, [UK] house prices increased by 2.8 per cent in 2007 Q1, well below the 4.2 per cent rise in 2006 Q4,” said Martin Ellis, Halifax’s chief economist. “There is also evidence of reduced market activity.

“We expect the higher level of interest rates, negative real earnings growth and above inflation council tax bill increases to lead to slower house price growth over the coming months.”

Tags: end, q1, real earnings growth, House price index, level, Council Tax, cent, earnings growth