14th Apr 2014- Zoopla

House prices in the UK will rise by 7.4 per cent in 2014 as cautious lenders and tighter borrowing conditions cool the market.

This month sees the introduction of the Mortgage Market Review and this measure is expected to prevent the creation of a property bubble similar to the one experienced during the economic crash, the EY ITEM Club stated in a new report.

It has forecast growth of 7.2 per cent in 2015, followed by an increase of 4.2 per cent in 2016 once the mortgage guarantee scheme ends.

The government created Help to Buy in order to make it easier for first-time buyers to get onto the property ladder, as it means it is possible to buy a new-build or existing home priced up to £600,000 with as little as a five per cent deposit.

FCA has to make its mark 

According to the study, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has a vital role to play when it comes to keeping a lid on the market, as it has the macro-prudential tools at its disposal to make sure income multiples of borrowers do not become too stretched.

Peter Spencer, chief economic advisor to EY ITEM Club, said the UK housing market is not currently experiencing a “typical debt-fuelled recovery”, as the increase in gross mortgage lending has been financed by existing borrowers swelling their repayments.

“New mortgage lending remains at rock bottom while government initiatives such as the Help to Buy schemes will be having little impact on prices in London, where activity is fuelled by cash rather than mortgage borrowing,” Mr Spencer stated.

“The FCA will assume crucial importance to ensure multiples do not become too stretched and that affordability is scrupulously checked. If these controls are rigorously applied this will eventually constrain London prices, particularly in hotspots like Hackney, and head off problems when interest rates rise.”

London house prices rises out of this world

Despite house sales slowing in March, average prices have risen to £17,500 in the last 12 months to £262,291 – the highest annual rise since September 2010.

The latest LSL Property Services/Acdata England and Wales House Price Index shows that poor weather and a shortage of homes took its toll in March.

However, this did not stop significant growth taking place in London, where price rises were twice as fast as any other region.

David Newnes, director of Reeds Rains and Your Move estate agents, said this is a clear indication that the city is “operating on a different playing field”.

“The bottom line is we simply need more homes, not just to satisfy the growing demand but also to curb prices from rising beyond reach,” he added.

Mr Newnes pointed out house hunters hoping to buy at the lower end of the market in London are facing an uphill battle to fulfil their dreams, which demonstrates why the lack of housing supply needs to be addressed.

He is also calling for the government to puts its “rhetoric into practice”.

Between Putney Bridge and Hammersmith Bridge, this scenic riverside development includes 744 new homes, a park, community boat club and jetty.

Londoners selling up in posh Kensington & Chelsea are buying into a fresh wave of riverside developments under way in neighbouring Fulham. The new schemes are attracting buyers seeking an “affordably prime” address on the desirable north side of the Thames.

Fulham Reach is a 744-home scheme between Putney Bridge and Hammersmith Bridge, a remarkably serene section of the river favoured by scullers and oarsmen. A location previously out-of-bounds for home buyers, this spot is now a pleasant residential address. Developer St George has created a new riverside promenade a new park, community boat club and jetty.

Glass-clad apartment blocks have wraparound balconies to make the most of the view across the Thames to the splendid Harrods Furniture Depository. Residents have exclusive use of a spa, screening room and wine cellar as well as a 24-hour concierge. The River Café, the lauded restaurant where Jamie Oliver cut his teeth, is housed in an adjacent wharf. Homes in Goldhurst House, the latest phase, are priced from £1,749,950.

Built beside Regent’s Canal, apartments at Plimsoll Building will revamp the once-blighted railway land behind King’s Cross station.

Buyers are already in the starting blocks for the newly launched Plimsoll Building, the latest unveiling at King’s Cross Central, the epic redevelopment of once-blighted railway land behind the station.

The dashing new scheme of 178 flats, pictured, sits beside Regent’s Canal and, in a union consistent with the diverse mix at this new neighbourhood, above two new schools. Ready next year, the architectural detail features textured brick cladding that dovetails neatly with surrounding heritage buildings, and an internal podium garden designed by Dan Pearson.

The triple-height entrance foyer has a glass scenic elevator for the ride to upper floors including a rooftop conservatory, an art gallery and three communal terraces. A business lounge and dining space will be open for meetings and private events, and there will be a gym. Prices start at £430,000.

The building is named after Samuel Plimsoll, a Victorian industrialist famous for developing the Plimsoll line loading guide on the side of ships. He also built the railway coal drop viaduct at King’s Cross.

Google is building a new HQ in the 67-acre district, joining the Central St Martins College of Art and Design campus. The finished project will have 2,000 new homes, 20 new streets, 10 new public squares, 20 restored heritage structures including listed gas holders, many offices and generous retail space.

Landlords in London have seen annual total returns increase to 14.6 per cent in the year to January 2014.

It represents an average return of £38,104 per property in the capital, which is more than five times the returns recorded in both the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber, LSL Property Services reveals.

Across England and Wales, average returns were £14,767, a year-on-year increase of 3.2 per cent.

“Rental yields remain historically high and such rental income is still underpinned by a demand-driven lettings market,” said David Newnes, director of estate agents Your Move and Reeds Rains, part of LSL Property Services.

He added landlords are also benefiting from an equity bonus thanks to rising house prices.

Mr Newnes expects landlords to increase their portfolios in the coming months as mortgage affordability continues to grow and interest rates look set to stay low for the foreseeable future.

Lending to first-time buyers increased in all parts of the UK during the final quarter of 2013 as this group continues to drive the market’s recovery.

London led the way, as 13,400 loans were advanced in the three-month period and this represented a 33 per cent year-on-year increase, according to figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).

People looking to take their first steps onto the property ladder in the capital are typically borrowing £198,900 and spending an average of 20.6 per cent of their monthly income on mortgage payments.

“First-time buyers have continued the strong upward trend in lending we have seen throughout 2013 and, despite much debate in political spheres about their affordability plight in the capital, an increasing number are realising their aspirations to become homeowners,” said Bob Pannell, CML chief economist.

All parts of the country have been buoyed by first-time buyer activity, with significant rises also recorded in Northern Ireland (29 per cent), Wales (28 per cent) and Scotland (26 per cent).

This group of homebuyers has been boosted by the greater affordability of high LTV mortgages, meaning they do not need to save up as big a deposit.

Measures such as the government’s Help to Buy have underpinned this growth, as it has left lenders more inclined to give loans to candidates they would have previously viewed as risky or not suitable.

Iain Malloch, chair of CML Scotland, sees reasons for optimism north of the border too, as greater mortgage availability and the economic recovery are leading an upturn in activity in Scotland.

“First-time buyers have been a crucial driver throughout 2013, and the CML anticipates this growth in the market will continue into 2014,” he added.

The property market has already had a positive start to the year, as the CML revealed earlier this month that gross mortgage lending increased by 33 per cent year-on-year in January 2014.