Average UK house price ‘fell by 1.4 per cent month on month in November’
The average house price fell by 1.4 per cent month on month in November, marking the biggest drop since June 2020, according to an index.
November’s decrease followed a 0.9 per cent monthon-month fall in October.
The UK annual house price growth slowed sharply to 4.4 per cent, from 7.2 per cent in October. The average house price in November was £263,788, Nationwide Building Society said.
Mortgage rates jumped after the mini-budget in September, with Bank of England base rate rises also pushing up borrowing costs, against a backdrop of households being squeezed by rising bills.
Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist, said: “The fallout from the minibudget continued to impact the market, with November seeing a sharp slowdown in annual house price growth to 4.4 per cent, from 7.2 per cent in October. Prices fell by 1.4 per cent month on month, after taking account of seasonal effects – the largest fall since June 2020.
“While financial market conditions have stabilised, interest rates for new mortgages remain elevated and the market has lost a significant degree of momentum.
“Housing affordability for potential buyers and home movers has become much more stretched at a time when household finances are already under pressure from high inflation.
“The market looks set to remain subdued in the coming quarters. Inflation is set to remain high for some time and bank rate is likely to rise further as the Bank of England seeks to ensure demand in the economy slows to relieve domestic price pressures.
“The outlook is uncertain and much will depend on how the broader economy performs, but a relatively soft landing is still possible.”
Mrgardnersaidlonger-term borrowing costs have fallen in recent weeks and may moderate further.
“Given the weak growth outlook,
labour market conditions are likely to soften, but they are starting from a robust position with unemployment still near 50-year lows,” he
said. “Moreover, household balance sheets remain in good shape, with significant protection from higher borrowing costs, at least for a period,
with around 85 per cent of mortgage balances on fixed interest rates.”