Mortgage Market Briefing – July 2020
The housing market was handed a major boost this month as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak announced a temporary cut to stamp duty tax rates.
The housing market was handed a major boost this month as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak announced a temporary cut to stamp duty tax rates.
Almost two million homeowners have asked their mortgage provider for a payment holiday, according to figures released by the banking trade body UK Finance.
After weeks of severe lockdown, new government guidance has begun the process of easing restrictions on the UK housing market.
It has been an encouraging 12 months for the housing market, with prices rising by 0.8% and much of the country returning to growth.
2019 had its ups and downs for the mortgage and property markets, but the 2020s have begun on a positive note.
Further cuts to rates in December, especially for borrowers with small deposits, have proved a Christmas gift for first-time buyers.
Homeowners who took out a mortgage at the most recent market low may now be looking to remortgage to avoid seeing their monthly repayments spike, according to Moneyfacts.
It was an encouraging month for the mortgage and property markets, with house prices growing slightly, an increase in mortgage lending and greater product choice for homeowners.
Falling swap rates caused mortgage rates to drop substantially during August, with many homeowners capitalising by taking out longer-term fixed rate deals.