UK house asking costs present greatest early-year rise since 2020, Rightmove says


LONDON (Reuters) – Common asking costs for newly listed properties in Britain had their greatest start-of-the-year improve since 2020 however uncertainty concerning the tempo of rate of interest cuts is hanging over the market, property web site Rightmove (OTC:RTMVY) mentioned on Monday.

The common value of properties coming to market rose by 1.7% between Dec. 8 and Jan. 11 to 366,189 kilos ($445,944), 9,000 kilos beneath a peak hit in Might final yr, Rightmove mentioned.

In contrast with the identical interval a yr in the past, asking costs had been 1.8% increased, it mentioned.

Britain’s housing market gained some momentum final yr on hopes that borrowing prices would proceed their fall though slower-than-expected price cuts sapped some demand.

Rightmove mentioned the variety of new properties coming to market since Dec. 26 was up 11% from a yr earlier whereas the variety of patrons contacting brokers about properties on the market was 9% increased and agreed gross sales rose by 11%.

Colleen Babcock, head of companion advertising at Rightmove, mentioned regardless of the optimistic begin to the yr many patrons had been struggling to afford a brand new house as a consequence of excessive mortgage charges.

April’s expiry of a decrease price of property buy tax on cheaper properties represented one other check for patrons.

“The market wants a lift for that momentum to be sustained, within the type of early and ongoing Financial institution Fee cuts, which ought to hopefully assist to cut back mortgage charges,” Babcock mentioned.

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A rainbow is seen over apartments in Wandsworth on the River Thames as UK house prices continue to fall, in London, Britain, August 26, 2023.   REUTERS/Kevin Coombs/File Photo

The Financial institution of England is extensively anticipated to chop its benchmark Financial institution Fee from 4.75% to 4.5% on Feb. 6 after its subsequent scheduled financial coverage assembly.

($1 = 0.8212 kilos)

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