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House prices 'fell 0.9% in June' | House prices 'fell 0.9% in June' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
UK house prices fell by 0.9% on average last month, according to the latest survey from the Nationwide. | UK house prices fell by 0.9% on average last month, according to the latest survey from the Nationwide. |
The decline was less severe than the record 2.5% fall seen in May, but prices were now 6.3% lower than a year ago, the Nationwide said. | The decline was less severe than the record 2.5% fall seen in May, but prices were now 6.3% lower than a year ago, the Nationwide said. |
The average home now costs £172,415 and is £13,629 cheaper than at the top of the market in October last year. | The average home now costs £172,415 and is £13,629 cheaper than at the top of the market in October last year. |
The Nationwide survey found that the housing market in Scotland had been more resilient than elsewhere. | The Nationwide survey found that the housing market in Scotland had been more resilient than elsewhere. |
Although prices in the three months to June had fallen in Scotland by 1.8% compared with the previous quarter, it was the only area to see an annual growth, up 0.6%. | Although prices in the three months to June had fallen in Scotland by 1.8% compared with the previous quarter, it was the only area to see an annual growth, up 0.6%. |
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
Nationwide suggested that the sharp rise in oil prices had benefited regions such as Aberdeenshire. | Nationwide suggested that the sharp rise in oil prices had benefited regions such as Aberdeenshire. |
It also pointed to the fact that prices did not shoot up as quickly during the housing boom. | It also pointed to the fact that prices did not shoot up as quickly during the housing boom. |
Pace of change | Pace of change |
The credit crunch and the resulting difficulty for many to get a good mortgage deal has led to many potential buyers staying put across the rest of the UK. | The credit crunch and the resulting difficulty for many to get a good mortgage deal has led to many potential buyers staying put across the rest of the UK. |
The sometimes volatile monthly figures showed that the pace of price falls had eased, down 0.9% in June whereas it had dropped 2.5% in May. | The sometimes volatile monthly figures showed that the pace of price falls had eased, down 0.9% in June whereas it had dropped 2.5% in May. |
It seems unlikely that there will be any rapid turnaround in housing market fortunes in the coming months Fionnuala Earley, Nationwide chief economist | |
But the year-on-year change across the UK was down 6.3% in June compared with 4.4% in May. | But the year-on-year change across the UK was down 6.3% in June compared with 4.4% in May. |
The Bank of England this week said that mortgage approvals in the UK has slumped to 42,000 in May, a 28% fall compared with the previous month and 64% down on a year ago. | The Bank of England this week said that mortgage approvals in the UK has slumped to 42,000 in May, a 28% fall compared with the previous month and 64% down on a year ago. |
Nationwide said the lack of activity in the housing market was key to prices, but its analysis suggested it was movers, rather than first-time buyers who were staying put. | Nationwide said the lack of activity in the housing market was key to prices, but its analysis suggested it was movers, rather than first-time buyers who were staying put. |
It said first-time buyers accounted for a third of transactions in the first three months of 2008, in line with the average over the previous three years. | It said first-time buyers accounted for a third of transactions in the first three months of 2008, in line with the average over the previous three years. |
Movers accounted for fewer than half of transactions in the same period, below the 55% average of the past three years. | Movers accounted for fewer than half of transactions in the same period, below the 55% average of the past three years. |
The low transaction levels meant the trend with prices would continue, according to Nationwide's chief economist Fionnuala Earley. | The low transaction levels meant the trend with prices would continue, according to Nationwide's chief economist Fionnuala Earley. |
BIGGEST ANNUAL RISE IN PRICES Cambridge: 4% annual change, average price £316,548Canterbury: +4%, £224,787Oxford: +4%, £324,566Carlisle: +3%, £153,512Aberdeen: +3%, £225,124 | |
"It seems unlikely that there will be any rapid turnaround in housing market fortunes in the coming months," she said. | "It seems unlikely that there will be any rapid turnaround in housing market fortunes in the coming months," she said. |
"However, as prices continue to fall affordability measures become more favourable for those in a well-financed position to buy." | "However, as prices continue to fall affordability measures become more favourable for those in a well-financed position to buy." |
Regional picture | Regional picture |
The average home is £13,629 cheaper than at the price peak in October and £11,500 less than at the same time in 2007, but prices are still 4% higher than two years ago and 9% higher than three years ago. | The average home is £13,629 cheaper than at the price peak in October and £11,500 less than at the same time in 2007, but prices are still 4% higher than two years ago and 9% higher than three years ago. |
Alongside the monthly survey, the Nationwide has released its quarterly figures on a more local level. | Alongside the monthly survey, the Nationwide has released its quarterly figures on a more local level. |
BIGGEST ANNUAL FALL IN PRICES Sheffield: 17% annual fall, average price £168,321Belfast: -11%, £268,174Birmingham: -9%, £166,581Manchester: -9%, £192,151Coventry: -9%, £158,888 | |
They showed the biggest annual price rises for the second quarter were to be found in the university cities of Cambridge, Canterbury and Oxford, followed by Carlisle and Aberdeen. | They showed the biggest annual price rises for the second quarter were to be found in the university cities of Cambridge, Canterbury and Oxford, followed by Carlisle and Aberdeen. |
Twelve out of 13 areas of the UK witnessed year-on-year drops in house prices during the three months from April. | Twelve out of 13 areas of the UK witnessed year-on-year drops in house prices during the three months from April. |
London - although still the most expensive - has fallen more in line with the rest of the UK owing to tighter controls on lending by banks, a squeeze on household finances and less secure job prospects in the City, according to Nationwide. | London - although still the most expensive - has fallen more in line with the rest of the UK owing to tighter controls on lending by banks, a squeeze on household finances and less secure job prospects in the City, according to Nationwide. |
Scottish house prices have been "more resilient" but Northern Ireland has shown the biggest correction after sharp rises in 2006-7. | Scottish house prices have been "more resilient" but Northern Ireland has shown the biggest correction after sharp rises in 2006-7. |
At a local level, the biggest falls in prices, year-on-year for the second quarter were in Sheffield, Belfast, Birmingham, Manchester and Coventry. | At a local level, the biggest falls in prices, year-on-year for the second quarter were in Sheffield, Belfast, Birmingham, Manchester and Coventry. |
Ms Earley predicted that the next move in interest rates would be down, at some point before the end of the year owing to increased pressure on consumer spending and a slowing economy. | Ms Earley predicted that the next move in interest rates would be down, at some point before the end of the year owing to increased pressure on consumer spending and a slowing economy. |