Discerning farmers seeking perfection
DEVELOPERS registered 2,475 new homes to be built in Yorkshire and Humber during the second quarter of the year – just 139 more than for the same period last year.
Nationally, 40,343 new homes were registered to be built between April and June – down by 567 on last time.
The figures from the National House Building Council (NHBC) showed that 29,123 homes were registered in the private sector compared with 31,381 a year ago. There were 11,220 new homes registered in the affordable sector, up from 9,429 before.
The NHBC said: “The continued rise in the affordable sector can be attributed to a number of larger housing associations developing homes for market rent, private sale and shared ownership along with a rise in joint ventures with the private sector.
Six of the 12 UK regions saw a rise in registrations when compared with the second quarter of 2016 – Yorkshire and Humber, the North West, West Midlands, Scotland. Wales and Northern Ireland.
NHBC business development director Neil Jefferson said: “New home registrations have remained stable in the second quarter of this year, with some areas of the UK seeing significant increases in registration volumes. With demand for housing as strong as ever, the growth seen in the affordable sector is particularly encouraging.” grassland. Carter Jonas said stock was remaining on the market for longer compared with three years ago – with discerning buyers still unwilling to rush into a purchase, choosing instead to hold out for the “perfect farm” that will meet all their requirements.
There was evidence to suggest bank lending for the agricultural sector is increasing and that lenders are willing to support businesses that can service the debt, with a good track record, and a robust business plan.
Carter Jonas rural associate Sam Johnson said: “In Yorkshire, there was a significant drop in land marketed in the first quarter of 2017, possibly due to some vendors delaying the marketing process and the strong supply of stock put up for sale at the end of 2016.
“However, we’ve seen a surge of supply as we enter the summer months, including equipped farms, and some good investment opportunities, with East Yorkshire proving to be particularly busy. Based on the pipeline of stock that we are aware of, we aren’t expecting unprecedented levels of supply.
“While this is likely to support prices throughout the region, we expect the continued divergence and range in values to remain constant – dependent, as ever, on location.
“Overall, while farms are admittedly taking a little longer to sell than in previous years, and buyers are being especially selective, the market remains resilient - despite the uncertainties currently impacting the sector.”