Rate-hike pause as inflation dips Last month, the Bank of England announced a pause in its long run of interest rate rises following an unexpected dip in the UK headline rate of inflation and ‘increasing signs’ that higher rates were starting to hurt the real economy. Following its latest meeting, which concluded on 20 September, … Continue reading “Economic Review – September 2023”
Residential Property Review – September 2023
Economic uncertainty weighs on the residential market The most recent UK Housing Market Update from Savills has highlighted that buyers’ budgets continue to be impacted by higher mortgage rates, and although inflation has begun to move lower, core inflation remains ‘unexpectedly sticky.’ During July, with completed sales reducing by 18% on the 2017-19 average, market … Continue reading “Residential Property Review – September 2023”
Commercial Property Market Review – September 2023
Private investors acquire £1.3bn of London office assets over 12 months Knight Frank’s latest research report on the capital’s office market has highlighted that over the last year, family offices and ultra-high-net-worth individuals have purchased £1.3bn worth of London office assets. Such high transaction volumes by wealthy private investors have been a by-product partly of … Continue reading “Commercial Property Market Review – September 2023”
Economic Review – August 2023
UK growth rate exceeds expectations The latest gross domestic product (GDP) statistics revealed that the UK economy grew more strongly than expected in June, although more recent survey data does suggest a renewed contraction looks ‘inevitable.’ Official data released last month by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the economy grew by 0.5% in … Continue reading “Economic Review – August 2023”
Residential Property Review – August 2023
Demand down but activity remains robust The residential sales market experienced further negative indicators in July, according to the latest UK Residential Survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), with new buyer enquiries and agreed sales volumes continuing their decline. At the national level, new buyer enquiries recorded a net balance of -45% … Continue reading “Residential Property Review – August 2023”
Commercial Property Market Review – August 2023
Higher interest rates dampen investment The results of the Q2 2023 RICS UK Commercial Property Monitor point to a renewed setback for the commercial property market, with an upward shift in interest rate expectations weighing on investor demand and placing downward pressure on capital values. The survey shows a clear majority of respondents (68%) are … Continue reading “Commercial Property Market Review – August 2023”
Economic Review – July 2023
UK inflation rate declines Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the UK inflation rate fell by more than expected in June, leading analysts to predict that interest rates are now likely to rise less sharply than previously feared. The latest inflation statistics revealed that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) 12-month rate … Continue reading “Economic Review – July 2023”
Residential Property Review – July 2023
RICS survey shows demand falling Activity in the residential sales market deteriorated in June, according to the latest UK Residential Survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), with negative net balance readings returned across many indicators. New buyer enquiries fell to a net balance of -45%, compared to -20% recorded in May, the … Continue reading “Residential Property Review – July 2023”
