London house purchase activity decreased in the first quarter according to CML

May 24, 2017

Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) press release today headlines ‘Home buyers in London down 19% in the first quarter compared to a year ago.’

New Council of Mortgage Lenders data reveals London house purchase activity decreased in the first quarter but remortgage lending continued a resurgence.

In the first quarter, home buyers borrowed £5.4bn for house purchase, down 3% quarter-on-quarter and 22% year-on-year.  First-time buyers borrowed £2.8bn, down 5% on the fourth quarter and 3% on the first quarter last year.

Paul Smee, CML director general, commented: “Home buyer activity in London has fallen for the second quarter in a row. A traditional seasonal dip in activity in the winter months is expected, but it has been more pronounced in London compared to the UK overall as persisting supply and affordability issues continue exerting some restraint on growth. We do expect activity will pick up as we go into the summer months.

“By contrast, remortgage activity was at an eight-year high in London. Attractive mortgage deals aided by low interest rates appear to have sparked a resurgence in activity that has seen consecutive growth year-on-year every quarter for three year.”

Read the CML press release with data in full click here.

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Breaking Property News 26/3/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Average house prices in England are 7.6 times the median average salary The house-price-to-salary ratios in England continue to see a gradual decline post Covid-19 spike Following today’s release of the ONS Housing Affordability in England and Wales: 2025 data confirming that median average…
Read More →
Breaking News

Households facing £114 council tax increase

The latest research from eXp UK shows that the average household could see their council tax increase by £114 over the next year following increases of up to £986 over the past ten years. At the beginning of April, the majority of local councils are expected to put council tax up by 4.99% – the…
Read More →
Breaking News

UK House Price Index for January 2025

The latest index shows that: The average monthly rate of house price growth in January was -0.3%. Average UK house price annual inflation was 1.3% in the 12 months to January 2025. As a result, the average UK house price currently sits at £268,000.   Here are some thoughts from the Industry.   Damien Jefferies,…
Read More →
Breaking News

Exchange time reaches 135 days

Property transactions slow as exchange time reaches 135 days — up 45% on 2019 The time it takes to exchange contracts has risen to 135 days — 45% longer than in 2019 and 3% higher than last year — despite a drop in property transactions year-on-year, it emerged today. Novus Strategy, the transformation consultancy for…
Read More →
Breaking News

Industry response to latest inflation figures and its impact on housing

Industry response to UK inflation remaining at 3%. Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, comments: “Although inflation has remained steady since last month, it is important to acknowledge geopolitical tensions moving forward, and the effect such pressures may have on many households over the coming months. “Today’s news should help bring a measured sense of consistency…
Read More →
Breaking News

Foxtons Lettings Market Index – February 2026

Seasonal recovery as improved supply and demand indicates a return of market momentum   Lettings market is showing signs of seasonal recovery as we see market activity picking up, with February performance indicating that momentum is returning following a usually quieter winter period. Renter budgets remained broadly stable, averaging £540 per week year to date…
Read More →