Property Investor’s FactFile – February 2019
This month's factfile data saw the main house price indices offering a mixed bag of price movements from an upbeat 2.29% growth estimation from the Halifax to a -0.82% drop reported by the Nationwide (echoing a wide consensus of less bullish price predictions). The Land Registry's House Price Index (HPI), undoubtedly the most reliable measure, also reported -0.2% decrease between October and November – a trend that's likely to continue as the lagged data appears in the public domain. Of course, regional disparities will remain – with growth expectations expected in cities and the surrounding regions of Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield. With an uncertain political backdrop, growing LIBOR rates reflect the increasingly conservative approach being taken by lenders. Heightened Brexit-related risk is likely to remain in the coming months as much will depend on the outcome of withdrawal agreement and ensuing business / consumer confidence. [Read More]