Estate fees 64 57 -7 Homebuying/ homeselling process 58 51 -7 Being able to pay off the mortgage 70 65 -5 Ability for buyers to get on the property ladder 87 83 -4 Being able to move up the property ladder 65 61 -4 Saving for a deposit to buy 86 83 -3 Quality of housing 52 49 -3 Gazumping 52 49 -3 House prices 77 76 -1 Availability of housing 69 70 1 Ability to get a mortgage/ remortgage n/a 72 n/a Gazundering n/a 43 n/a Leasehold/ freehold system n/a 42 n/a Sample size (total UK adults): 2527 2214 Most dramatically, the numbers saying that negative equity is a problem has dropped by more than 10%. The proportion worried about negative equity dropped to 49% from 64% last year; after a steady increase in house prices. Concerns have lessened in respect to estate agent/ conveyancing fees, the ability to pay off the mortgage and the homebuying/ selling process overall. In a year of competitive market activity, the of concern about conveyancing fees has dropped 8%, concern about estate agent fees and concern about the overall homebuying/ selling process have both dropped 7%. In a year of rising house prices, continued low interest rates and improved wages, the proportion saying that being able to repay the mortgage is a serious problem has dropped by 5%. Concern stamp duty rates eases as a result of reform – Concerns about stamp duty rates have dropped sharply in past year (64% in 2014 to 51% in 2015). In wake of new government reforms, one third feel better able to afford to buy or move up the ladder. As a result of reforms to stamp duty to do away with the slab system, 11% say that the changes make buying their first home more affordable and 22% say the changes make moving up the property ladder more affordable. Regional look at house prices & supply, negative equity, leasehold/ freehold system Regionally, concern about high house prices continues to be greater in London than in other regions.
Estate fees 64 57 -7 Homebuying/ homeselling process 58 51 -7 Being able to pay off the mortgage 70 65 -5 Ability for buyers to get on the property ladder 87 83 -4 Being able to move up the property ladder 65 61 -4 Saving for a deposit to buy 86 83 -3 Quality of housing 52 49 -3 Gazumping 52 49 -3 House prices 77 76 -1 Availability of housing 69 70 1 Ability to get a mortgage/ remortgage n/a 72 n/a Gazundering n/a 43 n/a Leasehold/ freehold system n/a 42 n/a Sample size (total UK adults): 2527 2214 Most dramatically, the numbers saying that negative equity is a problem has dropped by more than 10%. The proportion worried about negative equity dropped to 49% from 64% last year; after a steady increase in house prices. Concerns have lessened in respect to estate agent/ conveyancing fees, the ability to pay off the mortgage and the homebuying/ selling process overall. In a year of competitive market activity, the of concern about conveyancing fees has dropped 8%, concern about estate agent fees and concern about the overall homebuying/ selling process have both dropped 7%. In a year of rising house prices, continued low interest rates and improved wages, the proportion saying that being able to repay the mortgage is a serious problem has dropped by 5%. Concern stamp duty rates eases – as a result of reform Concerns about stamp duty rates have dropped sharply in past year (64% in 2014 to 51% in 2015). In wake of new government reforms, one third feel better able to afford to buy or move up the ladder. As a result of reforms to stamp duty to do away with the slab system, 11% say that the changes make buying their first home more affordable and 22% say the changes make moving up the property ladder more affordable. Regional look at house prices & supply, negative equity, leasehold/ freehold system Regionally, concern about high house prices continues to be greater in London than in other regions.
2015-Homeowner-Survey-Report-FINAL3.docx