Uncertainty with the EU Referendum has seen London house prices stall increasing by 0.2% for the month to June down from 1.5%, says ONS.
The Office of National Statistics (ONS) report shows a slowdown in house price inflation for London while Northern Ireland and Scotland have benefitted from strong growth.
House price growth for Northern Ireland was 3.8% for the month to June compared to a decrease of 1.0% last month and Scotland has a strong monthly rise of 2.7%.
Although over the last year London has maintained a double digit increase of 12.6% there are signs things are changing.
The London market supported from buy-to-let landlords where sales declined after the new stamp duty tax was introduced in April 2016 and overseas investors are cautious to buy with uncertainty over the Brexit vote.
Growth outside of Greater London
Many areas outside of Greater London continue to see house price growth with East of England higher by 1.3% over a month and 14.3% higher over the year.
Other areas such as Yorkshire and The Humber have bounced back with a monthly rise of 1.2% after a fall the previous month of 0.2% and Wales house price growth is 1.2% compared to 0.9% last month.
For England annual growth is averaging 9.3% and for first time buyers this would mean they would require a larger deposit or higher earnings to purchase their first home.
Average property values and annual change for June 2016 from the ONS are shown below.
| Area | Annual Changes |
Property Values |
|---|---|---|
| London | 12.6% | £472,204 |
| South East | 12.3% | £309,149 |
| East of England | 14.3% | £270,029 |
| South West | 8.0% | £229,383 |
| England | 9.3% | £226,807 |
| West Midlands | 6.4% | £174,998 |
| East Midlands | 7.9% | £171,462 |
| Yorks and the Humber | 5.5% | £149,706 |
| North West | 6.6% | £148,320 |
| Wales | 4.9% | £145,238 |
| Scoltand | 4.6% | £143,282 |
| North East | 6.6% | £124,470 |
| Northern Ireland | 7.8% | £123,241 |
Across the country the highest rise in prices by type of property is for flats up 9.8% over the year with an average price at £193,758 compared to a terraced home up 8.7% worth £174,495.
Semi-detached homes increased by 8.5% and are now worth £200,789 and a detached home has increased the least at 8.0% although worth the most at £318,945.
Older homeowners have greater value in their homes and the equity release mortgage buyer can access money using a lifetime mortgage to maintain their lifestyle, consolidate debts or even buy a more expensive home.
Top ten London boroughs
Even though Greater London is slowing, within the capital there is some strong performance in house price growth as first time buyers and home movers look for value in up and coming areas.
The leading boroughs in London all increased by over 18% over the year to May 2016 with Waltham Forest the highest with 22.1% and house price of £418,146.
Average house prices and annual change for June 2016 from the ONS are shown below.
| London Borough | House Prices |
Annual Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Newham | £355,950 | 21.4% |
| Waltham Forest | £422,049 | 20.3% |
| Croydon | £360,845 | 20.3% |
| Havering | £340,162 | 19.5% |
| Bexley | £319,307 | 19.4% |
| Barking and Dagenham | £271,584 | 19.3% |
| Redbridge | £401,199 | 19.4% |
| Haringey | £555,638 | 18.5% |
| Enfield | £386,182 | 17.5% |
| Hillingdon | £404,502 | 17.1% |
The average price of a London property is £472,204 and the entire top ten other than Haringey are significantly below this level.
For remortgage buyers the rise may allow them to release capital to improve their home such as an extension, new kitchen or bathroom which could increase the value of their home.
Some areas in the capital have decreased over the last year with Hammersmith and Fulham 3.2% or £24,339 lower and Kensington And Chelsea by 6.2% or £80,653 lower.
What are your next steps?
Speak to our LCM mortgage advisers if you are planning to move home, buying your first home, remortgaging your existing home to a new cost effective mortgage deal or are a buy-to-let investor.
For equity release buyers our London City Mortgage brokers can recommend lifetime mortgages allowing you to receive cash from your property to help maintain your standard of living as costs rise.
Learn more by using the mortgage monthly cost calculators, equity release calculator and property value tracker chart. Start with a free mortgage quote or call us and we can take your details.
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