Regional Property Market Update Autumn 2022: Southern England

Market moderation 

Over 100,000 sales have taken place each month to date in 2022, according to the Bank of England; a feat achieved only twice in the last fifteen years (2014 and 2017). While demand remains higher than pre-pandemic times, mortgage approvals–considered a forerunner for demand–have eased back in recent months. The Bank of England reports that 63,770 mortgages were approved in July, a 5% fall on the pre-pandemic average (2015-2019). There are signs too that sales prices are moderating. Month-on-month, average prices rose by just 0.1% in July according to Hometrack, while the Halifax registered a 0.1% fall.

At 8.0% and 8.9%, annual property price growth in the South West and South East has moderated from 11.3% and 10.4% respectively at the start of the year. However, in many areas annual property price growth remains in double digits. Price growth is currently strongest in Swindon and the Isle of Wight.

Rising costs 

The cost-of-living crisis is dominating daily news, with consumer confidence in the economy at a historic low (GfK). Inflation has hit double digits, with the Bank of England warning that it is set to rise further. The Bank Rate rate, currently at 1.75%, is likely to rise to over 2% by the end of 2022. While over two-thirds of outstanding mortgage balances and 95% of new approvals are on fixed-rate deals (FCA), for new homeowners and those looking to remortgage, costs are edging up. The impact is likely to be most significant in markets where affordability levels are already stretched.

Homes continue to go under offer quickly, 29 days in the South West and 34 days in the South East to sell (Rightmove). Conversely, across the UK housing market the time taken to complete a sale has risen, now in the region of four months, as conveyancing delays remain a significant issue. For buyers seeking to move in by Christmas, the clock is ticking.

Then and now 

The current economic situation is unchartered territory for many homeowners: those not yet born or too young to remember the prolonged periods of double-digit inflation and interest rates of the 1970s and 1980s. Mortgage lending regulation also means the housing market is in a different state to the global financial crisis. An average of independent forecasts published in August expect the rate of inflation to lower over 2023 and by 2024 to have dipped back to below the Bank of England 2% target. Meanwhile, Bank Rates are not predicted to rise much above 3% (NIESR), still low by historic standards.

Contact us

As property prices and demand continue to rise, sell your property with experts in the property industry this autumn. Contact your local Guild Member today.