03/05/2002

House prices to drop during second half of year

Latest figures from the Halifax bank indicate that UK house prices rose by 0.7% during April, representing a total increase of 15.1% in the average house price when compared with the same time one year earlier.

However, the Halifax has estimated that the exponential growth rate in house prices – encouraged by low interest rates - is set to even out later this year, as several adverse influences take their toll. Higher unemployment and lessened income growth could finally impact on confidence, and if the Bank of England decides to raise interest rates from the current level of 4% - as predicted – house prices could finally slow, especially in the London area.

The average cost of buying a house in the UK now stands at £102,851.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has also issued a note of caution to those buying properties with the aim of renting them out for income.

Income from rental properties has fallen for the fifth quarter in a row, according to the most recent figures, with rental yields declining in central London due to an excess of properties available on the market.

The purchase of properties for later renting out – known as the buy-to-let sector – comprises 7% of the total private rental market.

(CL)


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