Figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) show that mortgage loans were up 17% on the previous three months.
The CML has said there has been the strongest house buying activity for the past five years with £50 billion advanced to first time buyers, buy-to-let investors and home movers in the third quarter of 2013.
For September mortgage lending was £16 billion which is 41% higher than a year ago with homeowners taking out an extra 61,000 home loans in August, up 15% over a year.
House prices now rising
According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) the house price index has reached record levels at 185.8 higher than the peak in January 2008.
The average price of house or flat is now £247,000 with house prices rising 3.8% in the year to August 2013. Excluding London, property prices are higher by only 2.1%.
One advantage of rising house prices for homeowners is remortgage buyers can now release capital for home improvements such as a new kitchen or bathroom.
In London house prices have risen strongly with modest increases in other parts of the country although research by the Liberal Democrat peer Lord Oakeshott shows house prices in 50 local authorities are less affordable than in 2007.
Higher property values for older homeowners allows the equity release buyer to access cash using a lifetime mortgage and maintain their lifestyle, pay for care at home or even help your children start or expand a business.
Other surveys from the Halifax and Nationwide show house prices are well below record levels with the average house price of £170,733, £30,000 less than record levels in 2007.
The difference in figures is due to the ONS Index uses actual transaction prices with a greater weighting from London properties whereas the Halifax and Nationwide use mortgage approvals.
Risk of a property price bubble?
The rise in prices could be due in part to the various schemes for lending.
The Bank of England’s Funding for Lending Scheme has failed to lend to small and medium businesses but has been very successful providing mortgage loans.
The introduction of the Help to Buy Scheme that allows people with only a 5% deposit to buy a house or flat with a further 15% supplied by the government could help to create a boom in house prices.
The Help to Buy scheme is not available to switching remortgage buyers or buy-to-let investors as it promotes new home ownership.
There is the possibility that these schemes will allow homebuyers to become overexposed to mortgage debt if they are able to borrow larger amounts.
What are your next steps?
Call our LCM mortgage brokers if you are a buy-to-let landlord with a property, remortgaging and want the best mortgage deal, buying your first home or you are planning to move home.
For equity release buyers our London City Mortgage advisers can recommend lifetime mortgages allowing you to receive cash from your home to spend on anything such as home and garden improvements or even gift to a family member or friend.
Start with a free mortgage quote or call us and we can take your details. Learn more by using the mortgage monthly cost calculators, property value tracker chart and equity release calculator.
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