|
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
by Richard Green
|
|
print article · comment on article
|
|
| |
previous |
page 2 of 3 |
next |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Government house price index
This is a recently launched government survey into the house price index, reported on a monthly basis. Using lending information from about 50 lenders, this includes a first-time buyers index, as well as former owner occupiers, regional, and UK indices. Unfortunately, like the Land Registry reports, there is at least a two month arrears in the statistics being released. While the government is trying to improve this survey, it is hampered by limits on the information provided by the lenders, and has been described to the BBC by a government spokesperson as "The slightly less than definitive index". The implementation of the National Property Database, which is currently under development, should help to provide better information about property types, and expansion on the information available for geographic areas such as commuter belts.
Mortgage lenders
Mortgage lending companies such as the Nationwide ( http://www.nationwide.co.uk/default.htm ) or Halifax ( http://www.halifax.co.uk/home/index.shtml ) provide regular surveys covering the entire UK rather than just England and Wales. These are usually available monthly, and are based on the final price agreed by their mortgage customers, thereby ignoring other lenders figures, and the 25% of cash transaction house sales. Useful in giving snapshots of the property market, although frequently different lenders figures contradict each others trends.
Price comparison sites
Comparison websites, such as Moneynet ( http://www.moneynet.co.uk/mortgage-research/index.shtml ), provide an impartial analysis of mortgage deals, alongside an analysis of what people are buying and borrowing in terms of property. The information provided by these sites can become slightly distorted by speculative enquiries where purchases are never intended to be completed, and no track record is kept on actual house purchase amounts. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
previous |
1·2·3 |
next |
|
|
