Taylor Scott International News
The UK housing market has reported healthy growth in March, on the back of a surge in first time buyer activity, new research shows. There has been a lot of talk about buy to let buyers flooding the market to beat Aprils extra stamp duty deadline, but the latest figures from Connells Survey & Valuation show that first time buyer activity in March jumped 15% compared to March 2015 and 41% compared to February 2016. In March, the total number of valuations carried out rose 8% year on year and grew by 21% month on month and this was primarily due to the first time buyer sector posting strong monthly and annual growth figures. Indeed the figures show that there was a dip in buy to let activity in March. Corporate services director John Bagshaw believes first time buyers figures have been aided by an increased uptake of Government plans designed to assist the bottom of the market. ‘The Help to Buy scheme has become more widely recognized and used by those who need a little help getting the capital together to fund a mortgage for a first home. Equally, more first time buyers are taking advantage of special first time buyer discounts on certain properties, which has helped those on lower incomes step onto the ladder,’ he explained. Remortgagors and home movers have also seen a significant boost in valuation activity in March. Total remortgaging volumes were up 25% month on month and up 33% year on year. ‘Those seeking to move up the property ladder are making solid strides this month. With home values high and continuing to increase across all parts of the country, albeit at an uneven pace, many property owners may view it as a good time to either upscale to something bigger and better or downsize and enjoy the surplus capital,’ said Bagshaw. ‘The remortgaging sector has also enjoyed an energetic March. The rates of growth have come down somewhat from what we were seeing in previous months, as those looking to remortgage to fund a second home take a step back to re-assess and absorb the stamp duty changes,’ he pointed out. ‘But with the average mortgage rate still very low and no Bank of England rate rise on the horizon many are taking advantage of the bargain rates in order to release capital on their home or switch to a better mortgage deal,’ he added. The stamp duty changes, which became effective on 01 April impacted the buy to let market in March. Valuation activity in this sector dropped by 27% between February and March 2016, as well as dipping by 36% compared to the same month a year ago. ‘The buy to let market has endured a turbulent month but we expect this to be a short term tumble, with investors adopting the standard kneejerk reaction to legislative changes by proceeding cautiously. This is particularly true for a tax increase like the stamp duty… Taylor Scott International
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