Mortgage approvals hit highest level in four years
The latest mortgage lending figures show a welcome pick-up in the housing market.
The number of mortgages approved for people buying a home soared by 20% in December to hit a four-year high.
A total of 46,815 loans for home purchases were agreed during the month. This was the highest level since August 2015 on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to UK Finance, the banking and financial industry body.
There was also a strong rise in homeowners switching to a new mortgage deal, with approvals for remortgaging jumping by 25% year-on-year to 33,738.
But there is evidence buyers were already returning even before the election, with mortgage advances in December reaching their highest level since March 2016.
There is typically a two to three month lag between when a mortgage is approved and when the money is advanced.
Why is this happening?
The housing market has been in ‘wait and see’ mode since the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016. But the large majority won by the Conservative Party at the General Election has increased the certainty that Brexit will happen according to the current timetable. This has made people feel more confident about going ahead with a big purchase.
Even before the General Election, estate agents were talking about seeing pent-up demand for homes, with people who had delayed making a decision beginning to return to the market.
Who does it affect?
The rise in activity in the housing market is good news for potential buyers and sellers alike.
Sellers will benefit from the rise in demand as it should enable them to sell their home quicker and achieve an offer that is closer to their asking price.
Increased demand is also likely to benefit buyers, as it should encourage more people to put their home on the market, increasing the amount of choice they have.
What’s the background?
Mortgage advances for the whole of 2019 were £265.8 billion – 1.1% less than in 2018, according to UK Finance.
Alongside Brexit uncertainty causing many people to delay house purchases, stretched affordability in many regions and a shortage of homes for sale have acted as a drag on home-buying levels.
But the property market has remained more buoyant in areas of the country where house prices have remained more affordable, such as the north of England and parts of the Midlands.
01 Winchester
A perfect day in Winchester
Visit leafy Hampshire for history, quirky pubs and rural vibes.
The ever-so-slightly hipster city of Winchester in Hampshire is a fine choice if you want to be surrounded by countryside yet keep those urban comforts. A short drive from the New Forest and the south coast, this pretty city is often voted among the best places to live in the UK. Once the capital of England, the cathedral city has treats for history buffs at every turn. Add cool shops, brilliant pubs, lush rural vistas and trendy bakeries and you'll never want to leave.
The best weekend breaks from London
Need to flee the city? Here’s where to spend the weekend in the UK and still be back in London for work on Monday
A relaxing and inspiring getaway, without the faff of boarding a plane? We’re sold. While we can’t vouch for the weather here in old Blighty, we have every faith in our restaurants, museums, shops, stunning scenery and ace hotels.
Not to mention, we’ve got historical attractions aplenty. When you want to get out of London without any faff, look no further than these gorgeous getaways – from cosy rural retreats to proper city breaks.
That’s right – all of those holiday feels, with no passport (or factor 50) required.
Winchester
It’s always had the looks, but Winchester never used to have that much in the way of personality. Suddenly, though, this handsome cathedral city has become Hampshire’s coolest corner. The food’s fantastic, for starters: you can breakfast on cruffins at Hoxton Bakehouse, settle in for craft brews and tacos at Overdraft, then tuck into a chilli beef burrito pie while flipping through a vintage comic at Piecaramba. Winchester’s the perfect base to explore the rest of Hampshire from, too: nose around Jane Austen’s house in Chawton and join a tour at Hambledon, the UK’s oldest vineyard. Accommodation-wise, you’ll get the VIP treatment at Hotel du Vin – or try gorgeous boutique B&B Hannah’s.
North Norfolk
With its vast skies and meandering waterways, North Norfolk has an eerie beauty all of its own. Start off with a visit to see the seals at Blakeney Point (the pups arrive in the winter), then head to Cromer, where you can tuck into the famous crab at The Jetty, stroll down the pier and stock up on local preserves at the farm shop. Make time to chuff along the North Norfolk Railway from Sheringham to Holt, and see if you can book a tour of Voewood House, an arts-and-crafts masterpiece. After all that fresh air, bed down at The Chequers Inn in Thornham, a gastropub with luxe rooms in a building that dates back to 1499. Or for a splurge, head inland to The Gunton Arms, a plush inn set in a deer park with a magnificently meaty menu.
Get there: three hours 30 minutes by train from London Liverpool Street to Cromer, with changes; around three hours by car.
The Cotswolds
Think of the English countryside and chances are you think of the Cotswolds: 750-odd ridiculously green and pleasant square miles straddling Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. Each county has its own unique charm, but for a textbook weekend stick to Gloucestershire, land of Jilly Cooper, honey-coloured stone cottages and retired rock stars. Immerse yourself in nature: go leaf-peeping at Westonbirt Arboretum, take a clay pigeon-shooting lesson at the Cotswold Clay Club and coo over grazing cattle as you drive into Minchinhampton. Push the boat out with a stay at The Wild Rabbit in Kingham – a Pinterest board come to life – and don’t miss The Wheatsheaf Inn’s superlative Sunday roast.
Get there one hour 30 minutes by train from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh; around two hours 30 minutes by car.
Bristol
The West Country’s undisputed foodie capital, Bristol’s got it all. From cheesecake at Hart’s Bakery to modern British plates in a shipping container at Box-E, you could easily spend 48 hours here doing nothing but eating. And then there are the sourdough toasties with a side of Gallic charm at Bar Buvette and Poco’s internationally influenced tapas (don’t miss the merguez with buttered kale at brunch). Make time to visit the Clifton Suspension Bridge, the gorgeously restored lido and Stokes Croft’s street art – and don’t forget to sip some legendary Exhibition cider in The Coronation Tap (it’s so strong it only comes in halves). Bed down in former merchant’s house Number Thirty Eight, or at the utterly lush Bristol Harbour Hotel.
Get there one hour and 38 minutes by train from London Paddington or if you’re watching your wallet National Express coaches run from Victoria for just £6 one way; around 2 hours 30 minutes by car.
Oxford
Those dreamy spires are just the start of Oxford’s charms. As well as being an ancient university city with history in every brick, it’s a young, thriving cultural hub with plenty of great places to eat and drink (Raoul’s Bar and Liquor Store in Jericho is where it’s at). Tick off the Ashmolean and the Pitt Rivers Museum, then wander through Port Meadow and the University Parks, stopping off for burgers at The Rickety Press. Shop till you drop in the Covered Market, make like Inspector Morse with a pint of Wychwood Hobgoblin at The White Horse on Broad Street (one of the show’s filming locations), then turn in at boutique B&B The Glove House in Woodstock – or bunk up in the Artist Residence, a sweetly chic pub with rooms just outside the city.
Get there one hour by train from London Paddington; one hour 30 minutses by car.
The Yorkshire Dales
It’s probably the UK’s most famous national park, and for good reason – the Dales has staggering good looks and drama in spades. A weekend gives you plenty of time to roam the vast Bolton Abbey Estate near Skipton and be wowed by the Ribblehead viaduct and the natural amphitheatre of Malham Cove (see if you can spot the pair of resident falcons). The Dales are heaven if you live to stuff yourself silly – it’s well worth touring the Wensleydale Creamery, home of the famous cheese, and nosing around Theakston’s brewery. Speaking of pints, The Black Bull near Sedbergh is in a class of its own, with a fantastic, modern kitchen. Stay there, or nearby at The Malabar, an award-winning B&B that started life as a dairy – think Roberts radios in every room, fluffy towels and free afternoon tea when you check in.
Get there: two hours 15 minutes by train from London King’s Cross to Leeds; around three hours 30 minutes by car.
Edinburgh
The Fringe in August is of course when the city comes into its own, but Edinburgh’s brimming with things to do and see during the other 11 months of the year. Climbing Arthur’s Seat is obligatory, as is trekking to Edinburgh Castle – then an evening picnic on the Meadows before hitting the dancefloor at small but legendary venue Sneaky Pete’s. Come bedtime, Rabble has gorgeous mid-century ‘rough-luxe’ rooms in the heart of the New Town, with a top-notch restaurant downstairs. While we’re on the subject of food: pop-up-turned-bricks-and-mortar-venture Ting Thai Caravan is well worth a visit to feast on street food to a soundtrack of, say, The Stooges. Still got itchy feet? Glasgow’s less than an hour away by train.
Get there One hour and 20 minutes by plane; four hours 20 minutes by train from London King’s Cross; around eight hours by car.
Manchester
Whether you’re comparing craft brews in the Port Street Beer House, crate-digging in Piccadilly Records or dancing your socks off on Canal Street, it’s impossible not to get caught up in Manchester’s civic pride. Make former warehouse district the Northern Quarter your base – it’s home to the city’s best coffee (hello, Takk), and both The Cow Hollow Hotel and The Abel Heywood have style in spades. Soak up culture at The Lowry, The Whitworth Art Gallery and the Royal Exchange, refuel on Curry Mile or in the new Mackie Mayor food hall, then party like you never have to go to work again at The Warehouse Project, now back on Store Street underneath Piccadilly Station.
Get there two hours by train from London Euston; around four hours 30 minutes by car.
Frome
There’s a reason Britpop’s top tier (Pearl Lowe and Danny Goffey, Brett Anderson) and Nicolas Cage (yes, really) have swapped London for Somerset. Within a wellies-throw of Glastonbury, it’s gorgeous and peaceful but still has a bit of an edge. Make Frome, a Georgian beauty a with loads of cool stuff on its doorstep, your base: go vintage shopping in Bruton, leaf-peep in Stourhead’s majestic gardens and hike up Cley Hill as the sun sets (it’s a UFO hotspot). Back in the cobbled streets you can tuck into galettes at Bistro Lotte, pair craft beers with an artisan cheese board at Palmer Street Bottle and book a Scandi-inspired Sunday lunch at Fat Radish. Stay at The Merchant’s House, a Grade II*-listed B&B in the centre of town – breakfast by the Aga makes for a delicious start to the day.
Get there: two hours by train from London Paddington; two hours 30 minutes by car.
The Lake District
If you don’t feel like you’ve had a weekend away unless you come home with mucky boots and a sunburned nose, this one’s for you. More than 900 square miles of wilderness dotted with chocolate-box villages, the Lake District is wild and wonderful all year round. If the sun’s out, fuel up on Kendal Mint Cake and climb Scafell Pike – it’s England’s highest peak, but not too tricky if you don’t mind a long walk. Less strenuously, you can take a Steamer across Ullswater, visit The World of Beatrix Potter and stock up on toothsome treats in the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop – its world-famous wares are made to a 160-year-old recipe. Gilpin Hotel & Lake House is the last word in luxury, complete with a back-to-nature spa, or sleep under the stars at one of Buttermere’s picturesque campsites.
Get there two hours and 38 minutes by train from London Euston to Oxenholme; around five hours by car.
Norwich
It may be the home of notable dimwit Alan Partridge, but Norwich is as brainy as they come. There’s the University of East Anglia, whose world-famous Creative Writing MA has turned out the likes of Kazuo Ishiguro, Anne Enright and Ian McEwan, independent booksellers galore and a thriving contemporary arts scene. Of course, a weekend here doesn’t have to be totally cerebral: after a morning making thoughtful noises at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, hit the shops – don’t miss the super-cool retro furniture at Stubenhocker. The Bicycle Shop does great veggie-friendly plates with a side of live music, and Brick Pizza is the place to carb-load. Accommodation-wise, Gothic House has good-value, Grade II-listed rooms right in the city centre. Back of the net!
Get there one hour and 49 minutes by train from London Liverpool Street; around two hours 30 minutes by car.
Padstow
This pretty-as-a-picture port really is the cream of Cornish. It’s synonymous with everyone’s favourite seafood chef, Rick Stein – get to his fish-and-chip shop early to beat the queue, then mosey around the independent galleries and boutiques, before taking the Black Tor Ferry over the water to Rock for a pint at The Mariners, now co-run by chef Paul Ainsworth. Hire bikes and cycle the 18-mile Camel Trail to Bodmin, sign up for a lesson at Waves Surf School, or just take a kite for a spin on the beach. All that sea air means you’ll sleep like a log – book one of Georgian townhouse St Petroc’s cool, contemporary rooms, or a luxe tipi at Cornish Tipi Holidays if you have a car.
Get there three hours 43 minutes by train from London Paddington to Bodmin Parkway, and a bus; around five hours 30 minutes by car.
House price to earnings link lost in London but strong in other regions
Wondering what drives property values? We take a look at how earnings growth impacts house price rises.
The link between house price growth and earnings in London has become “almost entirely dislocated”, although it remains strong in other regions.
House prices typically rise broadly in line with increases in earnings, with higher wages typically pushing property values up as people can afford to borrow more through a mortgage.
But in London, this link has been broken, with pay growth and house prices often moving in opposite directions, according to estate agent Savills.
Research by the group found that property values in the capital fell by 2% in the two years to September 2019, despite earnings increasing by 7%.
By contrast, while average earnings rose by just 1% in London in 2015, house prices soared by 11%.
The study found that the link between rises in earnings and increases in property values remained strong in other regions, particularly the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber and Wales, with the ratio of house price to earnings remaining in a narrow range of 7.6 times to 8.1 times during the past five years, showing performance was based on what people could afford to borrow.
Lawrence Bowles, residential research analyst at Savills, said: “Our analysis shows that housing affordability in London is far more stretched than in any other region.”
Why is this happening?
While property in regional markets is typically bought by local buyers, overseas investors account for a significant proportion of transactions in London.
As a result, the market is influenced by other factors alongside earnings, such as exchange rates and the global economy.
The London market has also been impacted more than regional markets by stamp duty changes, including an increase in the top rate at which the tax is paid, and the introduction of the 3% stamp duty surcharge for people purchasing a second property.
These factors have diluted the impact earnings growth has on the market.
Who does it affect?
The disconnect between house prices and earnings in London is bad news for people wanting to buy a home there.The fact that earnings growth has only a limited impact on property values has led to affordability becoming increasingly stretched.
Despite this, demand from overseas investors, who typically have deeper pockets, could continue to push London prices higher.
By contrast, in other markets across the UK, house prices tend to stagnate once property becomes unaffordable while earnings catch up.
What’s the background?
Despite the disconnect between London house prices and earnings growth, Savills predicts the market will remain subdued until affordability improves, predicting price rises of just 4% in the capital in the coming five years.
Across the whole of the UK, Savills thinks prices will rise broadly in line with average earnings growth, increasing by just over 15% between now and the end of 2024.
Britain’s best value commuter towns revealed
As this year's average 2.8% annual rail fare hike comes into effect, we take a fresh look at which commuter towns are most affordable.
Grays in Essex is the most affordable place for commuters working in London to buy a home.
The combined cost of a season ticket and mortgage repayments on a property in the town, which takes 41 minutes by train to Fenchurch Station, comes to £15,008 a year, according to our data.
It is followed by Leagrave in Bedfordshire, which has a traveling time of 55 minutes to the capital, with annual costs totalling £15,399, and Crayford in Kent at £15,662.
Basildon and Harlow, both in Essex, complete the top five with commuting times of 37 minutes and 41 minutes respectively.
Laura Howard, consumer expert at Zoopla, says: “As the new season ticket prices come into effect this month – much to the frustration of the millions of commuters across Britain – those looking to relocate to save money should pay close attention to these figures.
“The past decade has seen significant property price growth in prime London commuter belt towns but, despite this, our analysis still identifies pockets across South East England that represent affordable value for commuters.”
What about Bristol?
Potential buyers looking for an affordable home within commuting distance of Bristol should look across the water to Wales.
Newport is the best value commuting town for Bristol, with annual mortgage and season ticket costs adding up £10,166 and a travel time of just 35 minutes to Bristol Temple Meads station.
Highbridge and Burnham in Somerset is the next most affordable location at £11,595 a year, followed by Bridgwater, also in Somerset, at £11,975.
Caldicot in Wales and Weston-Super-Mare in Somerset also represent good value for workers in Bristol.
... and Birmingham?
Wolverhampton not only offers the most affordable homes for people working in Birmingham at a combined cost of £7,484 a year for mortgage payments and a season ticket, but also the shortest commute overall of just 20 minutes.
Cannock in Staffordshire is the next best value for those employed in Birmingham at £7,934 a year, followed by Stoke-on-Trent at £8,273.
Telford and Wilnecote complete the top five of the most affordable towns within easy commuting distance of Birmingham.
Northern commuter cities
Northern cities tend to be more affordable than those in the south, so people are more likely to be able to live close to where they work.
Even so, people working in Manchester who want a cheaper location should consider Hindley, a 58-minute journey away, where combined annual mortgage payments and season ticket costs add up to £6,883.
Homebuyers looking for value within commuting distance of Edinburgh should look at Dunfermline, where mortgage repayments and travelling costs will set them back by £7,530 a year.
First-time buyer numbers hit 12-year high
Thinking of taking your first step on the property ladder? You are not alone with first-time buyer numbers last year reaching their highest level since 2007, says a major lender.
First-time buyer numbers hit a 12-year high in 2019, accounting for more than half of all homes bought with a mortgage.
An estimated 353,436 people purchased their first property during the year, the highest level since 2007, according to Yorkshire Building Society.
While the total was broadly unchanged from 2018’s figure of 353,130, it was nearly twice as high as the 191,040 people who bought a first home in 2008, and continued to edge closer to the pre-financial crisis level of 400,870 recorded in 2006.
At 51%, first-time buyers also accounted for more than half of all home purchases made with a mortgage for the fourth consecutive year, up from just 38% in 2008.
Nitesh Patel, strategic economist at Yorkshire Building Society, said: “Even though the number of first-time buyers has stayed pretty much the same as last year, it is still encouraging to see first-time buyers top 350,000 for the second year in a row.
“They also represent over half of all homes bought with a mortgage, meaning the first-time buyer mortgage market share is at its highest since 1995, when they bought 53% of all mortgage-financed homes.”
Why is this happening?
A combination of factors has helped to boost first-time buyer numbers in recent years.
On the one hand, this group has been helped by an increase in lenders offering mortgages of 95% of a property’s value, reducing the size of the deposit first-time buyers need.
There has also been an increase in the availability of mortgages with terms of up to 40 years, which increases the affordability of monthly repayments.
At the same time, first-time buyers have also benefitted from significant government support, such as the Help to Buy equity loan scheme and Help to Buy ISA, as well as stamp duty relief on the first £300,000 of a property’s price.
Who does it affect?
Although London and the South East being the most expensive regions for first-time buyers, with typical first homes costing £415,618 and £264,097 respectively, they are also the most popular places for people getting on to the property ladder.
One in five people who bought their first home in 2019 did so in the South East, while 12% bought one in London, significantly higher than in other regions of the country.
First-time buyers accounted for 60% of all house purchases with a mortgage in London, despite putting down an average deposit of £131,000.
What’s the background?
Yorkshire Building Society said the slow year-on-year growth in first-time buyer numbers suggested they may now be plateauing due to affordability constraints.
It pointed out that property prices have grown faster than salaries over the past 12 years, meaning larger deposits are required to get on to the housing ladder.
Patel said: “These figures show the market may now have reached its peak and buying your first home still remains tough for many.”
Confidence returns to the property market
Sentiment towards the housing market looks positive as we hit 2020, according to the latest mortgage figures.
The housing market enjoyed a late autumn bounce with mortgage approvals for house purchase rising by 7% in November.
A total of 43,589 mortgages were approved by the high street banks for people moving home during the month, according to UK Finance.
There was also an increase in the number of loans approved for people remortgaging, with these rising by 12.7% year-on-year to 34,653 - the second highest level recorded in 2019.
The figures suggest confidence is returning to the housing market, despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Brexit.
Tomer Aboody, director of MT Finance, said: “It is positive for the market thatremortgages and mortgages for new purchases edged higher in November.
“This reflects sentiment in the market, which has been enhanced by a strong Conservative government coming in which will support the economy and housing growth.”
Why is this happening?
The final quarter of the year is traditionally a busy time for remortgaging with competition in the market intensifying as banks and building societies cut their rates in order to meet their end of year lending targets.
As a result, not only are homeowners who are sitting on their lender’s revert rate tempted to remortgage, but people who have taken out new mortgages during this period in previous years also look for new deals as their existing one comes to an end.
The increase in mortgage approvals for home-movers is slightly more surprising, as the housing market typically slows down in the run up to Christmas.
The figures suggest that potential buyers who had previously sat on their hands due to Brexit uncertainty may now be returning to the market.
Consumer confidence is likely to have increased further since the General Election, with the Conservative’s strong majority making it more likely that the UK will exit the EU according to the current timetable.
Who does it affect?
A return of confidence in the housing market is good news for everyone.
The market is currently stuck in a vicious circle in which the lack of confidence has caused existing homeowners to delay putting their properties on the market to trade up the ladder.
The situation creates a lack of choice for people who do want to go ahead with a purchase, which in turn makes them less likely to list their own property, exacerbating the shortage of homes for sale.
The current low level of transactions is particularly bad for first-time buyers, who need people to trade up so that properties at the bottom of the ladder become available.
What’s the background?
Confidence is only one factor that affects property transactions, with affordability also playing a key role.
Affordability levels have become increasingly stretched in southern markets in the past two years following strong house price growth.
As a result, these regions saw the slowest house price rises in 2019, according to our data.
By contrast, property remains much more affordable in northern parts of the country, with property values in Wales increasing at more than twice the national average during the past year, while North West England and Yorkshire and the Humber also saw strong gains.
The best Christmas events in London
Feel like getting festive this weekend? Here’s our guide to the best Christmas events in London.
It’s good news for all you Christmas enthusiasts, because the season to be jolly is right round the corner. We’re talking mulled wines in fake Bavarian huts, stuffing yourself with an excessive amount of mince pies and chowing down on a festive pig in blankets sandwich without judgement (okay, maybe a little).
But beyond the sweet treats, it’s all the events that make this time of the year as special as it is. Whether you're perusing a Christmas market or treating yourself to a warming carol concert, there are all sorts of things to get up to this Xmas and because we're feeling merry, we've pulled together some of our top festive picks.
Classic Christmas events on this week
Christmas at Kew Gardens
Kew’s incredible botanical gardens will be undergoing another magnificent seasonal makeover in 2019, as Christmas at Kew lights up the space’s iconic buildings and the weird and wonderful plants that call it home.
Southbank Centre Winter Festival
The Southbank Centre Winter Festival returns is back for 2019 with another sparkling programme of festive shows and performances, family fun and music.
Skate at Somerset House
Now in its twentieth year, the arrival of the ice rink in Somerset House’s grand eighteenth-century courtyard is something of a festive institution. The 900-square-metre outdoor rink returns to the spot from November 13 to January 12, and is a great way to spend the day no matter how impressive your skating skills are.
Housing market expected to enjoy a post-election bounce
Housing market activity continued to decline in November but estate agents expect a rebound following the General Election.
Demand from potential buyers, instructions to sell and agreed sales all continued to worsen during the month, as people put major decisions on hold, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
But property professionals are more upbeat about the market’s prospects in the new year, with 12-month sales expectations reaching their highest level since the early part of 2017.
Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist, said: “Confidence is critical to a well-functioning housing market and whatever happens in the general election, it is important that the new government provides reassurance both over the stewardship of the economy and the ongoing challenges around Brexit.”
Why is this happening?
Markets hate uncertainty and the property market is no exception, with potential buyers currently facing a triple whammy of uncertainty over the Government, Brexit and the economy.
But the result of the General Election will not only end the political uncertainty, but it will also offer more clarity on when the UK is likely to exit the EU.
This is expected to release some pent-up demand from people who have put moving plans on hold for months or even years while they have waited to see when Brexit will happen and what impact it is likely to have on the economy.
Who does it affect?
The lack of activity in the housing market has left the average number of homes estate agents have on their books close to a record low of 41.
The situation creates a vicious circle in which existing homeowners who may be considering trading up or down the property ladder put off listing their own home due to a lack of choice for their next move, which in turn intensifies the current shortage of stock for sale.
What’s the background?
The good news is that RICS expects the situation to begin to improve going forward.
Estate agents expect sales levels to start to pick up over the coming three months, while optimism about the number of homes changing hands 12 months from now has reached its highest level for nearly three years, with a solid increase expected in all regions.
Price growth is also expected to recover across the country, with Northern Ireland and Wales seeing the strongest gains.
Top three takeaways
- Housing market activity continued to decline in November but estate agents expect a rebound following the General Election
- Demand from potential buyers, instructions to sell and agreed sales all continued to worsen as people put major decisions on hold
- Looking forward, property professionals’ 12-month sales expectations have reached their highest level since the early part of 2017