The latest Halifax house price report showed a slide of 1.7 percent for the month of July, taking the overall decrease for the year to date to 8.8 percent.
A Halifax spokesman said that increasing demands on consumers income as well as much tighter mortgage lending criteria is making it very difficult for people to get into the market, with a natural decline in prices to try and stimulate interest.
On the topic of mortgage approvals, which really drive the housing market, they are down by almost 70 percent compared with the same time last year according to Halifax figures. This leads to the real market, that is those who can finance a move, shrinking considerably and in many cases almost cutting off completely the first time buyer.
Abbey National mortgage customers facing difficulties on the back of the credit crunch are being asked to consider taking in lodgers to make ends meet.
Across the country there are currently over 18 million households with an unused bedroom that could be offered out for rent. The average rental price paid for a bedroom in a house is just under GBP290 per month according the Abbey National figures and represents extra money that the homeowner could find very useful.
Anyone considering this option should ensure the terms of the mortgage are not being breached in any way and also that any insurance cover is still valid for the homeowners property. Abbey National expect there to be few problems but ask homeowners to check before going ahead.
Effective from 16 May the Nationwide Building Society will have reduced interest rates on both two year and five year fixed rate mortgages.
The two year fixed rate mortgage will have a new rate of 5.95 percent with just a GBP599 arrangement fee. There is also a fee-free Nationwide Building Society two year foxed rate mortgage that will be available at 6.35 percent. These rates are for people moving house but there is also a remortgage offer, with rates of 6.15 and 6.55 percent respectively for the same mortgage offers as above.
The longer five year fixed rate mortgage can be had at 5.85 percent for house purchasers, again with a GBP599 fee, while the remortgage option is 5.95 percent. Customers coming to the Nationwide Building Society to change mortgage from a different company are also entitled to a special offer on a five year fixed rate mortgage, with no fee, at 5.95 percent.
