Housing affordability
March 30, 2015
After a number of years of the housing market favouring buyers rather than sellers, there are now clear indications this spring that sellers are gaining the upper hand. Recent research is showing that Housing affordability has deteriorated to 2009 levels on the back of strong property price growth, according to Loyds Bank the average home in a British city now costs £195,107 or 6.1 times typical annual earnings before tax.
The group blamed the affordability deterioration on the strong house price growth seen during the past year, with average house prices rising by 7 per cent. The price growth has stalled more recently along with the sales market as the election looms ever closer, normally in the run up to Easter the market would be picking up as spring buyers make their appearance, such buyers are a little more cautious this year waiting for the outcome of election before commiting themselves.
It has been reported that Oxford is the least affordable city with the average house costing nearly 11 times typical local earnings, Greater London is the seventh least affordable city , this across the board figure however disguised considerable variation throughout the capital.
You May Also Enjoy
Applicant budgets remain stable and rental prices in line with historic norms
Ratio of new renters per instruction rose by 5.1% from 8.9 to 9.4 applications per instruction. Average rental prices declined by 4% in November 2025, remaining closely aligned with November levels observed over the past four years. Year-to-date, average rental prices are 2% higher in 2025 compared to 2024. New data from Foxtons, London’s…
Read More The Impact of Increasing Lease Conversions on Estate Agents in 2026
2026 is shaping up to be a watershed year for the property market. Economic pressures, shifting demand and regulatory changes are converging to create a surge in lease conversion applications. For estate agents, this “perfect storm” will reshape the portfolios they manage and redefine their role in advising landlords. Mustafa Sidki of the construction team…
Read More First-time buyers help drive the most home moves for three years
Zoopla forecasts 1.5% house price growth for 2026 Housing sales hit 1.2 million over 2025 despite Q4 Budget slowdown More sales doesn’t mean faster price growth – house prices rise just 1.1 per cent (vs 1.9 per cent in 2024) The hottest markets for price growth across Britain are the Scottish Borders (TD postal area…
Read More Mortgage Lending Statistics – December 2025
Latest findings The outstanding value of all residential mortgage loans increased by 0.9% from the previous quarter to £1,733.7 billion, and was 2.9% higher than a year earlier. The value of gross mortgage advances increased by 36.9% from the previous quarter to £80.4 billion, the largest increase in new advances since 2020 Q3, and was…
Read More Bank of England interest rates decision – Thoughts from the Industry
The Bank of England has just announced its decision to cut the base rate to 3.75%, the first cut seen since August of this year. This decision comes after inflation (CPI) dropped to 3.2% in November (from 3.6% in October), slowly edging towards the Bank’s 2.0% target. The Monetary Policy Committee voted 5-4 in favour…
Read More A Winter Rate Cut to Thaw the Market
By Kevin Shaw, National Sales Managing Director, LRG Today’s reduction in interest rates is very welcome news – for homeowners, buyers, property professionals, and no doubt Government ministers. This warming news is set against a chilly backdrop: unemployment has increased to 5.1%, while the November Budget tightened the fiscal screws. Inflation, however, has eased to…
Read More 
