US Housing Market Data Response Case-Shiller Home Prices (Aug.) The solid rise in the Case-Shiller house price index confounded expectations from some corners that price growth was set to slow further in August. But it does not rule out a slowdown in house price... 29th October 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Lending (Sep. 13) The number of mortgage approvals for house purchase jumped again in September, as banks recycle a steady rise in mortgage repayments to new borrowers. While still historically low, 2013 will see the... 29th October 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Land Registry Repeat Sales Index (Sep. 13) With a hefty 1.5% rise in house prices during September, the Land Registry is now in agreement with other measures that prices are coming under continued upwards pressure. But, parts of central London... 28th October 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response BBA Mortgage Lending (Sep. 13) According to the BBA, mortgage approvals in September jumped by the largest amount in a single month since the end of 2008. Even so, net mortgage lending was once again negative, and banks appear to... 23rd October 2013 · 1 min read
China Chart Pack Property sales not keeping up with sentiment For all the headlines talking about a rebounding property sector in China, sales over the past few months have been no higher than they were a year ago. Developers may be benefiting from price rises... 23rd October 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update How significant is October's jump in asking prices? Despite some of yesterday's headlines, London aside, October's jump in asking prices was not exceptional. But the data highlight the risk that, even if Help to Buy fails to boost transactions, it may... 22nd October 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Focus Are higher mortgage rates a bigger threat than we thought? The steady rise in mortgage interest rates has weighed moderately on mortgage applications for home purchase and total home sales. Any fresh increase in mortgage rates would take a similar toll. While... 21st October 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Existing Home Sales (Sep. 13) The decline in existing home sales in September was driven by the steady rise in mortgage interest rates seen over the preceding months. If the timelier new home sales figures are any guide, this set... 21st October 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Is the ratio of mortgage debt to income really declining? The authorities are taking comfort from the fall in mortgage debt as a share of disposable income in recent years. But that primarily reflects a rise in benefit payments and net interest income, as... 18th October 2013 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Focus Assessing two key risks to the Swiss economy We think that the continued strength of the franc will weigh heavily on Switzerland’s exports for some time yet. But fears of overheating in the property market seem overdone, implying that a brighter... 17th October 2013 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Update Is homebuilder confidence set for a weaker period? Homebuilder confidence may be on the verge of a weaker period. The good news is that previous rapid run-ups and subsequent moderations in homebuilder confidence have dampened, but not derailed... 16th October 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response House Prices & Existing Home Sales (Sep.) The uptick in house price inflation, to 2.7% in September from 2.3% in August, is consistent with the reported decline in the supply of housing inventory. But with home sales being pulled forward in... 15th October 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Outlook House prices set for modest gains thanks to Government interventions With much fanfare, the Government has brought forward by three months the launch of the controversial Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme. We remain unconvinced that it will generate a large number... 15th October 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Will 'Help to Buy' be a block to rebalancing? The Government's Help to Buy (HTB) Scheme has been criticised for stoking a potential house price bubble and exposing the taxpayer to unwarranted risks. A more overlooked danger arises from the... 15th October 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly New housing activity spread signalling slowdown ahead The historically high number of housing units under construction justifies the current strength of construction employment. But the negative spread between housing starts and completions signals that... 14th October 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Help to Buy mortgage guarantees – is it time to reassess? We have been more sceptical than most that the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee will spark a new house price boom. Although the complexity of the scheme makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions... 9th October 2013 · 1 min read
