Mortgage activity picked up in August according to UK Finance

The latest UK Finance data published 12th October 2017 shows that lending for house purchase was higher in August 2017 than in both the preceding month and a year earlier.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, borrowing by first-time buyers and movers increased by both value and volume, according to UK Finance. First-time buyers borrowed £5 billion, taking out  30,400 mortgages, home movers borrowed £7.1 billion, equating to 32,800 loans.

UK Finance state: The value of buy-to-let lending was unchanged but there was a small decrease in the number of buy-to-let borrowers remortgaging.

Commenting on the data, UK Finance’s Head of Mortgages Policy June Deasy said:

“Activity picked up in August, and recent resilience ensured that borrowing by home movers was at its highest since March 2016, when transactions were boosted by an imminent increase in stamp duty. Over the last 12 months, the number of people remortaging has been higher than in any period since late 2009. With mortgage rates close to historic lows and the likelihood of a rise in official rates moving closer, the popularity of remortgaging looks set to continue.”

Read the UK Finance report 12th October 2017 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

Estate Agent Talk

Rightmove Sends the Enquiry. The Branch That Rings First Books the Viewing

Every branch pays the portal invoice. Rightmove and Zoopla deliver the enquiries, often within seconds of the applicant pressing the button. What happens in the next half hour decides whether that invoice turned into a viewing or into a line in someone else’s diary. The uncomfortable truth, which Rightmove’s own research has pointed to for…
Read More →
Breaking News

Residential projects remain under pressure

Infrastructure keeps UK construction moving through a sluggish spell Residential and non-residential projects remain under pressure, while infrastructure and utilities work give the industry a much-needed lift The value of underlying work starting on-site during the latest three months declined 2% and stood 18% below last year’s levels. Residential construction starts fell 8% against the…
Read More →
Breaking News

Homebuyers hold tight ahead of Autumn Budget

but should they wait to make their move?   The latest research from Yopa has revealed that mortgage market activity has reversed in recent months, with approvals falling at an average monthly rate of 3.9% over the last four months, having previously increased by an average of 1.5% per month over the previous four months, suggesting…
Read More →
Breaking News

House price growth accelerates in Q2

The latest Property Market Index Review by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that the property market continued to build momentum during the second quarter of 2026, with UK house prices increasing by 1.1%, while London recorded a second consecutive quarter of positive growth.   The Benham and Reeves Market Index Review…
Read More →
Breaking News

House prices hold steady despite impact of higher interest rates

House prices were unchanged in September (0.0%), following a -0.3% fall in August The average property price is now £298,441, compared to £298,395 in August Prices were also unchanged annually (0.0%) compared with September last year Northern Ireland continues to lead UK annual growth, at +7.4% Latest first-time buyer prices reveal what a 2.5% deposit…
Read More →
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 5/10/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. Architect-founded KnowYourNest brings property scores into the home search, with a free 1–10 score and full KnowYourNest reports from £9.95 By Author Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR NestLink today launches free NestScore checks and KnowYourNest property intelligence reports for buyers and homeowners across England and Wales.…
Read More →