CML: latest Help to Buy data is reassuring

Published on

Council of Mortgage Lenders

The combined impact of both the Help to Buy equity loan and mortgage guarantee schemes does not appear to be creating an amplifying effect on the more active parts of the UK housing market, according to CML analysis of new government data.

New government figures show that, to date, only 4% of all mortgages for house purchase have involved either of the Help to Buy products (mortgage guarantee or equity loan) over the period April 2013 to March 2014.

The overall average property value for first-time buyers over this period was £188,600 – very similar to the overall Help to Buy property value of £190,200.

However, the impact of Help to Buy varies considerably on a regional basis. For example, the active London market accounted for 13% of all loans for house purchase between April 2013 and March 2014. However, London accounted for only 6% of all Help to Buy (equity loan and mortgage guarantee) transactions.

By value, 45% of properties bought involving a Help to Buy mortgage guarantee were for properties costing up to £125,000. Only 7% of Help to Buy transactions were for properties costing over £250,000.

CML director general Paul Smee said: “Broadly, we should be reassured by the latest data on Help to Buy. The policy appears to be reaching the geographical parts of the market where recovery has been weakest, while accounting for only a small proportion of business in those areas where the market is more active. On the basis of these figures, the scheme appears to be successfully reaching its target group of creditworthy borrowers who would otherwise be unable to buy until they had accumulated a more significant deposit. Lenders are always mindful of what their customers can afford.

“Throughout the UK, the proportion of business accounted for by Help to Buy has to date been modest overall. Any worry that the scheme risks stoking a housing boom fortunately does not seem to be playing out in practice so far.”

COMMENT ON MORTGAGE SOUP

We want to hear from you!
Leave a comment and get the conversation started.
You need to register to post, so please login or sign up below.

Latest articles

Mortgage industry rallies behind Christmas charity concert

Momentum is building fast behind this year’s Christmas charity concert in aid of EveryYouth...

First-time buyers put at the heart of Treasury mortgage talks

The government will urge lenders to put first-time buyers at the top of their...

Target urges lenders to treat mortgage servicing as a strategic asset

Target Group has called on mortgage lenders to rethink their approach to servicing, arguing...

Heron Financial launches AI training cohort and ethics committee

Heron Financial has launched an artificial intelligence training programme for staff alongside the creation...

Lenders still holding back SME acquisitions, survey finds

Commercial brokers continue to face limited options from lenders when it comes to funding...

Latest publication

Other news

Mortgage industry rallies behind Christmas charity concert

Momentum is building fast behind this year’s Christmas charity concert in aid of EveryYouth...

First-time buyers put at the heart of Treasury mortgage talks

The government will urge lenders to put first-time buyers at the top of their...

Target urges lenders to treat mortgage servicing as a strategic asset

Target Group has called on mortgage lenders to rethink their approach to servicing, arguing...