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Difficult to be positive
Broker Luther Yeates (pictured right), head of mortgages at Orton Financial, remains unconvinced, though, that the ground truly is shifting for the mortgage market. “It is very difficult to be positive about the future given the economic indicators we are seeing,” he reasoned. “Property prices are falling, debt is still relatively expensive, and the Government is on track to raise additional taxes on the economy. We are already in a recession, there just seems to be an unwillingness to accept the current state of the market.” Yeates added: “I hope to see a thriving market in the future, and hope the Government and Bank of England take the time to reflect upon what has caused such a dire situation.”
Anne-Marie Blackler (pictured inset, above), mortgage adviser at Prestige Private Finance, has mixed views on the current mortgage market, but is leaning towards optimism. “Prices have softened enough to create genuine opportunities for buyers,” she said. “Many now have real choice, which is refreshing after the tighter conditions of previous years. While the stamp duty relief and government tax changes have undeniably impacted sentiment, especially among overseas investors, I believe this softer pricing is exactly what many buyers have been waiting for.
“In fact, when you weigh up the savings from stamp duty relief versus the chance to secure a better, more affordable property, I think most would prefer the latter. I’m seeing no shortage of buyers in certain areas, and while the prime market has slowed, activity is picking up in pockets across the UK. Rates are currently lower than we’ve seen in a while, and lenders are more open to lending, which only boosts confidence. If sentiment continues to improve, I expect to see an uptick in transactions in the coming months.”