Mortgage demand fell “markedly” in the three months to December, according to the Bank of England’s credit conditions survey.
The survey, involving bank and non-bank lenders answering a set of questions on lending activity, revealed that demand was expected to fall further over the next three months. The Bank attributes the drop to falling house prices, weakening sentiment towards the housing market and economic uncertainty.
Mortgage availability remained broadly unchanged in the three-month period, the survey also found, with availability levels expected to change little over the next three months due to lending constraints.
Lenders reported that the availability of high loan-to-value mortgages had decreased slightly in quarter four, while the availability of low LTV mortgages had increased.
Some lenders said that further ahead, affordability criteria could tighten as the Bank rate increased.
Source: Housebuilder
See Also: Mortgage Demand (1), Property News (6701), Bank Of England (9), House Prices (12), Housebuilder (84)
Date Published: 06 January 2011