PIC Searches

Rising Mortgage Costs Cast a Shadow Over the Autumn Property Season

Cliff Iredale — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:13:05 +0000

Rising mortgage costs threaten to dampen activity in the autumn property market as major lenders reprice fixed-rate deals in response to higher wholesale funding costs. HSBC, Barclays and NatWest have all increased selected mortgage rates since the start of September, while other lenders have also reviewed their pricing as swap rates moved higher. The changes...

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Expired searches could stall 60% of property transactions

Cliff Iredale — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:25:17 +0000

Buyer interest remains steady. Despite higher-than-ideal mortgage rates and property price increases, home searches are up 7% year-on-year. Richard Donnell, the executive director at Zoopla, described buyer demand as the ‘strongest for a year’, adding that the UK property market ‘is still a buyers market as there are plenty of homes for sale.’ Yet a...

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Consumer Confidence Boosted as the Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 3.75%

Cliff Iredale — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:03:54 +0000

At its 18 June meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted in a majority decision of 7-2 to hold interest rates for the fourth consecutive time at 3.75%. With steady CPI inflation, easing global energy prices, and resilient property market conditions, the decision to maintain interest rates at 3.75% is a sign of welcomed stability....

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Mortgage rules overhaul proposed by FCA to expand lending opportunities

Cliff Iredale — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:20:49 +0000

Calls for mortgage rule changes have prompted the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to launch a series of proposed measures directed at enhancing access to borrowing for older homebuyers, self-employed workers, and first-time buyers. Although over 99% of mortgages originated since 2014 remain on track for successful repayment, escalating property prices, delayed retirement trends, and shifting...

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Sales Agreed Jump as Spring Fever Hits the UK Property Market

Cliff Iredale — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:53:30 +0000

The spring season has facilitated an increase in sales agreed. Part of this is the seasonal increase in demand spring typically brings. Yet another factor is that first-time buyers are taking advantage of preferable property prices and a higher volume of listings across the country, thereby encouraging buyers to exercise greater agency in selecting which...

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New property regulations expected in King’s Speech

Cliff Iredale — Wed, 13 May 2026 15:50:25 +0000

King Charles will deliver the King’s Speech on Wednesday, which will sketch out the Government’s legislative priorities over the next parliamentary session. Of particular note are the two bills likely to be included in the speech, namely the Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill and the Building Safety Remediation Bill – bills which aim to, among...

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Growing backlog as unsold homes pile up for estate agents

Cliff Iredale — Thu, 07 May 2026 11:25:45 +0000

A recent market phenomenon has been a rising stock of unsold properties. A decline in property exchanges has reverberated throughout the UK property market, driven largely by consumers exercising circumspection amid concerns over mortgage rates and price stability. ‘By historic standards,’ Andrew Lloyd, the managing director at Search Acumen, said, ‘this slowdown in deals is...

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Market Holds Firm Despite Higher Mortgage Costs

Cliff Iredale — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:59:07 +0000

Despite global tensions causing mortgage rates to spike, the latest data illuminates that market activity has exhibited signs of resilience. A large part of this resilience lies in the sturdy performance of the UK property market at the beginning of the year. Demand, price growth, and listings were slowly increasing during this period, reinforced by...

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Buyers encouraged to act fast amid market changes

Cliff Iredale — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:02:10 +0000

Supported by heightened supply, steady decreases in mortgage rates, and rising buyer demand, the early 2026 perspective of the UK property market was positive. But circumspection arose following the ongoing situation in the Middle East, a crisis which has abruptly impacted interest rates, property prices, and consumer purchasing behaviour for the UK property market. These...

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