Mortgage lending increases in March
Despite the fact that UK mortgage lending was up 24% between February and March the Council of Mortgage Lenders believes that the mortgage market is still "quiet and subdued". The £11.5 billion of mortgage finance paid out in March is an increase on the £9.3 billion a month earlier although only a small rise on the £11.2 billion 12 months ago.
Apparently the fluctuations are in line with seasonal trends leading the Council of Mortgage Lenders to claim that the market is still struggling. While there is no doubt that mortgage lending and activity within the UK property sector is significantly higher than that seen at the trough of the UK recession there has been little or no change in activity trends, after stripping out seasonal variations, over the last few months.
There are many who believe that the first half of 2010 may see a small recovery but there appear to be more people concerned about the latter part of 2010 which many believe will see house prices consolidated at lower levels. It is worth remembering that the next UK government will need to introduce a number of income raising programmes which will include a cutback in public sector investment and no doubt an increase in taxes at some stage - both of which will have an impact upon the UK property market.
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