Mortgage rates are on the rise; what does it mean for the property market?
It seems a week doesn't pass without a new or worsening crisis. Inflation and the BoE base rate have taken centre stage over the past months.
Now it seems we hear them most days!
And over the past week, they have been used more than ever to report on the economic fallout caused by the Chancellor’s mini-budget.
It seems a week doesn't pass by without a new or worsening crisis. Inflation, the BoE base rate and strength of the £ have taken centre stage over the past months.
And over the past week, we have all seen the economic fallout caused by the Chancellor’s mini-budget.
As an agency that believes in always telling the truth, it would be a lie for us to say it’s business as usual.
It’s not.
With interest rates rising and mortgage rates following thereafter, local home buyers and sellers have concerns.
We’ve spoken to people currently buying and selling their homes over the past few days. And our advice to them has been simple.
Historically, the property market has seen ups and downs over the decades. BUT – if you look at it in 10-year cycles, property prices always increase.
Media predictions of a property market crash are just that – predictions, or to seek a dictionary definition: an act of saying what might happen in the future.
In June 2016 – after the Brexit referendum, it was predicted that property prices would drop by up to 33%. They didn’t.
During the years of lengthy Brexit negotiations, it was predicted that property values would sink by 25%. They didn't.
And when the pandemic hit in March 2020, it was predicted that the housing market would come to a complete halt and stagnate for years. Instead, it stopped for a couple of months before seeing record price increases.
Of course, no one knows for sure, but some things do seem certain to happen.
It’s highly likely it will become harder to sell or buy a home over the next three to six months.
Harder, but not impossible.
Why?
Because when you choose an agent based on their expertise, support, marketing and negotiating skill and ability, rather than a cut-price fee and fingers-crossed approach, you give yourself the best possible chance of success.
Some people already with a sale or purchase in progress may be getting nervous.
This is totally understandable.
But it’s worth considering this.
If you agreed on a sale and onward purchase two to three months ago, you are in what’s called ‘a relative market’.
This means that the price you agreed then is relative to what the market was doing then.
You may not feel like you’ve gained something, but you certainly haven’t lost something.
And for first-time buyers thinking of pulling out of a deal in motion and returning to the market in, say, 6 – 12 months, remember, it’s a big gamble.
These questions need to be asked.
Will you get as good a mortgage deal in 12 months? (You won’t.)
What if prices remain the same?
What if they increase? (Think back to Brexit and Covid-19 property predictions.)
Have you factored rental costs into your decision? Is it better to start paying off your own mortgage now or continue paying off someone else’s?
The big picture
According to industry data, most people stay in their homes for 12 – 20 years.
So, it’s highly likely that your property will be significantly more valuable in the future if you buy it now, even with all the news swirling around the housing market.
And let’s not forget the lessons lockdown taught many of us.
That life is for living and not something we can put on hold.
If you want a new property or seek somewhere else to call home, start thinking five to ten years down the line from now.
Remember, a home is much, much more than a financial asset.
It’s the place your children grow up.
Where you enjoy your sunset years.
Where you grow the relationships that really matter.
Where you make memories that last a lifetime – not just an economic cycle.