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Questions and Answers
Match the following terms with their correct definitions:
Halifax = Britain's largest mortgage lender Interest rates = Cost of borrowing money expressed as a percentage Mortgage affordability = Ability of borrowers to manage mortgage payments Wage growth = Increase in the earnings of workers over time
Match the following percentages with their significance in UK house prices:
0.3% = Monthly increase in house prices in September 4.7% = Annual increase in house prices recorded in September 5.25% = Interest rate before the cut by the Bank of England 6 times = Borrowing cap for first-time buyers at certain lenders
Match the following months with their corresponding key events:
July 2022 = Peak house price reached August 2023 = First interest rate cut in four and a half years September 2023 = Third consecutive month of rising house prices June 2022 = House price peak before the mini-budget
Match the following organizations with their roles in the housing market:
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Match the following statements with their implications for homebuyers:
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UK house prices rose for the ______ month in a row in September.
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The typical UK home price increased by £859 to £______,399.
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The Bank of England cut interest rates from ______% to 5% in August.
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The number of mortgages agreed is now at its highest level since ______ 2022.
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Amanda Bryden is the head of ______ at Halifax.
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Study Notes
UK House Prices
- UK house prices rose for the third consecutive month in September, reaching a near-record high of £293,399.
- The increase was driven by factors such as rising worker pay and falling interest rates, making mortgages more affordable for some buyers.
- Halifax, the UK's largest mortgage lender, reported a 0.3% month-on-month increase in prices, matching August's growth.
- Prices rose 4.7% year-on-year, exceeding the 4.3% growth recorded in August, marking the highest growth rate since November 2022.
- The Bank of England's interest rate reduction in August, from 5.25% to 5%, has spurred a renewed mortgage price war among lenders.
- Several lenders have lowered their mortgage rates and increased borrowing caps for first-time buyers, aiming to attract new customers.
Mortgage Affordability
- The improved mortgage affordability due to rising wages and decreasing interest rates has fueled confidence among buyers.
- The number of mortgages agreed upon has increased by over 40% in the past year, reaching its highest level since July 2022.
- However, high housing costs remain a challenge for many prospective buyers, with a majority still unable to enter the market.
- Halifax expects modest property price growth for the remainder of 2023 and into 2025.
Generation Z's Mortgage Burden
- Research by Hamptons reveals the significant mortgage burden faced by Generation Z (born in the late 1990s) compared to previous generations.
- Generation Z's average mortgage payment, estimated at £1,739 a month, is almost double that of previous generations when they first bought homes.
- This contrast is attributed to continuous house price inflation and the interest rates prevalent during their respective times of entry into the property market.
UK House Prices
- UK house prices rose for the third consecutive month in September, climbing by 0.3% to £293,399.
- This brings the price tag of the typical UK home just shy of the record high of £293,507 set in June 2022.
- On an annual basis, prices rose by 4.7%, marking the highest rate of growth since November 2022.
- The increase in house prices is attributed to rising worker pay and falling interest rates, making mortgages more affordable for some homebuyers.
- The Bank of England slashed interest rates in August, leading to a renewed mortgage price war among commercial lenders.
Mortgage Affordability
- Mortgage affordability has been improving due to strong wage growth and falling interest rates.
- The number of mortgages agreed in the UK is up over 40% in the past year, reaching its highest level since July 2022.
Challenges for Homebuyers
- Despite improved affordability, many potential homebuyers remain priced out of the market.
- Property price growth is expected to remain modest over the remainder of 2023 and into 2025.
- Generation Z faces significantly higher mortgage payments compared to previous generations, averaging £1,739 per month, roughly double the payments of millennials, generation X, and baby boomers.
House Price Inflation
- The gap in mortgage payments between generations is primarily due to steady house price inflation and the level of interest rates when they purchased their first home.
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Description
Explore the trends in UK house prices and the factors driving mortgage affordability. This quiz covers the recent increases in house prices, the impact of rising wages and decreasing interest rates, and how lenders are adapting to attract buyers. Test your knowledge on the housing market and its influences!
