Find a Property in the UK

Bigger homes are better value for money at the moment as lenders are being more generous to those looking at high value housing rather than those at the opposite end of the scale. The so-called house price crunch that occurred in the summer of 2007 left many home owners unable to sell for their desired price tags but as of the start of 2011, anyone buying a property for sale valued at more than £500,000 are enjoying the same borrowing rates as they would have done four years ago.

However, in stark comparison, for those who wish to buy a home worth around £125,000 the borrowing figures have gone up considerably and the amount that they are able to borrow is 9% less than 2007. The Bank of England reported figures that back up these claims; the availability of credit (secure credit) to households in the UK has been the same for the three months leading up to December and it is predicted that it will remain the same for the three months following. Borrowing is currently much easier for those with money mainly due to the fall in housing prices.

What Has 2011 Got in Store?

Take heed that if you thought it was hard to get a good lending rate as a first time buyer or someone with low equity that it looks set to get even harder in 2011. The Bank of England predicted that lenders will tighten their affordability criteria as the bank rates increase and this will lead to even higher lending figures. The demand for loans is likely to fall as the mortgage market continues to be stagnant and expensive. People are likely to delay their moving decisions until the summer this year in a bid to wait out the high lending prices and this will likely see the market come to a complete standstill. House and flats to buy throughout the UK are simply too expensive for anyone with a mid-range income and if you manage to find an affordable property in the UK it is unlikely that you will find an affordable rate to match!

Are Fixed rate Mortgages the Way Forward?

Many experts are advising the need to use a fixed rate mortgage as a way to avoid the high lending costs. Property for sale with a mortgage rate that is fixed throughout the specified term can be hugely beneficial to anyone entering a fluctuating market and has recently become a more popular way to purchase property for sale in the UK. Flats to buy in the UK are exactly the same as houses and all purchases carry a certain amount of risk, even when the market is running smoothly and a fixed rate mortgage allows people to buy safe in the knowledge of exactly how much they will have to pay back and when.

Getting around the problems that the UK property market is currently enduring is tricky but a fixed rate mortgage is proving popular with many. Other buyers may choose to bide their time and wait to see what the summer will bring.