Welcome to our weekly update giving you the key stories, breaking news and topical analysis from the past week up to today, 21 September 2018.
This week, we delve deeper into Bank of England governor Mark Carney’s comments on how Brexit might affect the UK’s housing market. In the mortgages sector, investors and landlords should be mindful of some recent rises in buy-to-let lending rates, while millions of homeowners could be paying too much for their borrowing. We also look at where the next big hotspots might be for property speculators. Read on for seven top stories you might have missed this week…
1. Brexit and house prices: how likely is the worst case scenario?
Today’s headlines have cast a gloomy outlook of how a no-deal Brexit could hit the country’s house prices, but do we need to take the comments seriously? Click here to read the full story.
2. Surprise base rate boost for summer UK mortgage market
After an unusually busy couple of months for lenders, with a particular rise seen in small deposit mortgage uptake, many are predicting a surge in remortgages this autumn. Click here to read the full story.
3. Survey shows UK millennials prefer city centre living
Living close to work or university is a key priority for renters, especially among young professionals, showing the continued demand for rental properties in city centre locations. Click here to read the full story.
4. Landlords making more from rent renewals than new contracts
Rents in the UK crept up slightly in the year to August, but it seems the biggest hikes are being seen when tenants are renewing their existing tenancies. Click here to read the full story.
5. Flipping property: where are the UK’s current hotspots for speculators?
Buying at a low price and selling high is a staple investment strategy, but while London once led the way for property speculation, it’s now being significantly surpassed by the north. Click here to read the full story.
6. Buy-to-let mortgage rates start their upward trend after base rate rise
While landlords have felt the squeeze over the past year or so, mortgage rates have remained fairly competitive enabling them to access and secure low rate deals. Click here to read the full story.
7. Lender loyalty or apathy? Two million borrowers overpaying on mortgages
Borrowers that fail to secure a new mortgage deal when their fixed term lapses are effectively being penalised for their loyalty… Click here to read the full story.
