Tag Archives: real estate
Lenders in UK praised for work on responsible lending requirements
Lenders in the UK positively applied the responsible lending requirements which came into force as part of the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) introduced in April 2014, a new report concludes. But there is scope for improving consumers’ ability to make better choices about mortgage deals according to the Responsible Lending Review published by the UK’s financial watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). It also says that some firms need to make process improvements to help them consistently assess and record their lending decisions and some could be more proactive and consistent in making use of flexibilities and exceptions to the responsible lending requirements for existing customers. The research found no evidence that the rules have prevented firms lending responsibly to consumer groups such as older borrowers and the self-employed. However it points out that with older consumers representing an increasing proportion of the UK population it is important that the mortgage market continues to develop a range of products that can meet their needs. Potential issues relating to lending to older borrowers will be included in wider work on the ageing population being undertaken by the FCA. The review looked at the challenges that consumers face in making effective choices, particularly when it comes to assessing and acting on information about mortgage products, with intermediaries being key to the process. It also examined if there are opportunities to make more effective use of technology in the provision of information and advice and commercial relationships between different players in the sector’s supply chain, in particular the use of panels, that might give rise to competition concerns. The FCA will carry out further work where there is greatest scope for competition to improve consumer outcomes. In particular, it will launch a targeted market study in the fourth quarter of 2016 focused on consumers’ ability to make effective choices, with a view to improving how competition works in consumers’ best interests. This study will try to determine if the available tools for helping consumers make choices, such as price comparison websites, best-buy tables, and advice, effectively meet their needs. ‘For millions of consumers a mortgage is one of the biggest financial transactions they will enter into in their lifetime so it’s encouraging to see firms embrace the spirit and the letter of our rules,’ said Christopher Woolard, director of strategy and competition at the FCA. ‘At the same time, there appears to be more to be done to improve competition in the mortgage sector. Competition can play a key role in ensuring that the sector works well, delivering lower prices, better products and choice, and more innovation,’ he explained. ‘Based on the evidence we’ve collected so far, we intend to launch a forward looking market study later on this year, with particular focus on the roles played by intermediaries and panels,’ he added. The Council of Mortgage Lenders welcomed the review and pointed out that members are already working on certain areas such as improving consumers' ability… Continue reading
US home sales on track to reach highest pace since 2006 despite market challenges
Relentless supply constraints and home price growth outpacing wages are testing the patience of home buyers in the United State this year, but existing home sales are still on track to come in at their highest pace since 2006. Monthly existing home sales were uneven in the first quarter but still came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate slightly higher at 5.29 million than last year’s overall annual pace of 5.26 million, National Association of Realtors chief economist told the 2016 Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo. He pointed out that demand has mostly remained strong, especially in the top job producing metro areas and is being upheld by mortgage rates near three year lows and the 14 million jobs gained since 2010. ‘The housing market continues to expand at a moderate pace in spite of the fact that home prices are rising too fast in some areas because of insufficient supply fuelled by the grossly inadequate number of new single family homes being constructed. Pending sales in recent months have remained stable and should support a modest gain in home sales heading into the summer,’ he explained. Yun forecasts existing sales to finish 2016 at a pace of around 5.40 million which would be the best year since 2006 when it was 6.48 million. After rising to 6.8% in 2015, the national median existing home price is forecast slightly moderate to between 4% and 5% this year. Senator Elizabeth Warren told the meeting that college debt is hampering young people from getting on the housing ladder. She explained that seven out of 10 college graduates that need to borrow thousands of dollars to attend college and then spend countless years afterwards repaying the debt at high interest rates. ‘Student debt is crushing young people, it’s hurting the nation's economy and delaying the opportunity for many to buy their first home. Every monthly payment going to reducing their student debt could instead be money going towards saving for a down payment on a house,’ she added. Yun remarked that the ongoing absence of first time buyers is the missing link to a full housing recovery despite it being a time when conditions are ripe for a larger share of them buying homes. ‘Job growth has been strong for multiple years, rents have soared in many areas and mortgage rates are historically low. Unfortunately, a multitude of factors such as increasing home prices amidst flat wage growth, the lack of available starter homes and repaying student loan debt is thwarting many young would be buyers,’ he told the meeting. ‘Spectacularly low mortgage rates mean today’s prospective home buyers are the luckiest in a generation but the unluckiest in actually becoming home owners because of the roadblocks hampering their ability to buy,’ added Yun. Warren urged Congress to pass the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, which would give a much needed break to student debt… Continue reading
Housing sales in UK set to jump by a fifth by 2020,
The number of property transactions in the UK could rise by over a fifth in five years to reach almost 1.5 million in 2020, according to new research. This will happen if first time buyers are given greater access to high loan to value lending, says the study commissioned by mover conveyancing services My Home Move. The increase in annual property transaction figures from the 1.23 million recorded in 2015 to the projected 1.49 million in 2020, a rise of 21.1%, is based on an econometric forecast of property transaction volumes. This includes a 6.6% rise in property sales in 2016, compared to 2015. The independent research uses a forecast model that draws on the historic relationship between property transactions and three variables that have had the greatest impact on property turnover: average mortgage rates, unemployment figures and the average first time buyer percentage deposit. The forecast of transaction levels is based on the OBR prediction for unemployment which is expected to fall slightly to 5.0% this year before rising slightly to 5.3% by 2020 and the OBR prediction for Bank Rate which is expected to rise gradually from early 2018 to reach 1.0% by the end of 2020. As part of the research, the average percentage deposit for first time buyers has been independently forecasted. This has been modelled to fall from the current 17.1% to 10% by late 2019 as more high LTV mortgage products come onto the market helping to make homeownership more affordable. As property transactions provide one of the most important measures of the overall health of the UK’s housing market, the research highlights a positive future for the market as transactions are set to advance strongly. ‘Although house prices have improved since the economic crash, property transaction levels, which are a key indicator of market health, are yet to return to their peak of 2007,’ said Doug Crawford, chief executive officer of My Home Move. ‘This report highlights the critical importance of unlocking access to high loan to value mortgage products for first time buyers, if we are to see transaction volumes grow and the health of the market remain,’ he explained. ‘The forecast shows that the number of home purchases could see a dramatic improvement if access to home ownership for first time buyers is nurtured. In particular, we need more lending to those with smaller deposits so that average deposit sizes for first time buyers fall to 10%,’ he pointed out. ‘However, reaching this would require a coordinated effort from across the industry sooner rather than later from house builders to ensure the supply is there, from lenders to provide the high loan to value lending that first time buyers depend on, and from those of us who support first time buyers with their purchase to ensure that buying a home is as easy as it can be,’ he added. ‘It couldn’t be clearer how important first time buyers are in… Continue reading
