House Prices Hit by Rare Summer Fall

House prices in the UK are falling faster than normal for this time of year, prompting further speculation over the health of the housing and mortgage market

Alliance News 17 July, 2023 | 8:49AM
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UK house prices are falling faster than normal, according to data from Rightmove.

Property prices dropped by 0.2%, or £905, in June, despite usually treading water this time of year. The fall was driven by rising mortgage costs placing larger constraints on buyers.

The average house price in July was £371,907, Rightmove said. House prices remain 2.6% higher than in January, however, proving more resilient than many expected.

On an annual basis, house prices rose 0.5% in July, easing from a 1.1% rise in June.

Agreed sales also fell, lagging June 2019's level by 12%, compared with a strong first five months of 2023.

The larger home sectors were more affected by the decline in sales agreed, slipping 14% behind 2019 levels, while the smaller home, two bedrooms and fewer market sector fared better, but was still 9% behind 2019 levels.

Despite this, buyer demand grew by 3% compared to 2019, with right-priced homes attracting more buyers due to a lower property supply than in previous years.

Rightmove Director of Property Science Tim Bannister said: "the interest-rate brakes being applied more strongly to slow the economy are now beginning to bite in the housing market.

"While prices and sales bounced back this year much more strongly than most expected, the unexpectedly-stubborn inflation figures and the surprise of further mortgage rate rises when many felt that they had stabilised, have contributed to the fall in prices and number of sales agreed.

"However, buyer demand remains resilient at 3% above 2019’s more normal market levels, buoyed by a shortage of quality property for sale and ongoing housing needs.

"First-time buyers, trader-uppers and downsizers with higher deposits and lower mortgage requirements appear to be still keenly searching the market, not wanting to miss out on the right property that is not over-priced and that they can still afford."

By Harvey Dorset, Alliance News reporter

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