UK house price growth slows in last quarter of 2014.

The Guardian reports that according to the Nationwide Building Society  UK house price growth slowed sharply in the last 3 months of 2014, this cooling off of prices was most apparent in 3 regions of the UK..the north west..Yorkshire and Humberside..and Wales where it was recorded that there were outright price declines in the final quater of 2014. On a better note, generally house prices ended the year 8.3% higher than 2013, this price increase may well be exagerated by the fact that London was particularly strong, house prices in the capital are approx 35% above their former 2007 peak.
Furthermore “Nationwide’s chief economist, Robert Gardner, said: “All regions except the north of England saw a slowing in annual price growth in the final quarter of 2014. London was the top performing region for the second year running. Yorkshire and Humberside was the weakest performing English region, with prices up 1.5% over the year”
Where do we go from here in 2015? what will we be reporting on house prices this time next year? The stamp duty changes announced by Chancellor George Osborne which will involve 98% of house buyers paying less tax may only have a limited impact on the slowdown in house price growth, stricter mortgage rules will definately have an effect in reducing the number of mortgage approvals. The up and coming election will more than likely create an air of uncertainty and buyers may hold back from committing to their purchase till after the election, it may not be all over by then as we may face the possibility of another coalition, that will be very interesting! Most are however positive about the fact that we will see further gains in prices in 2015, I go along with that but may not be as much as some people are expecting.

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

Housing Insight Report: May 2026

While we have seen a slight dip in prospective buyer registrations, stock levels have edged upwards, giving consumers more choice and helping to create a more balanced sales market. Although tenant demand increased throughout May, available stock fell slightly, leaving an average of eight applicants competing for every available property. Residential sales The average number…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 28/7/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   The UK rental market just changed hands. The tenant sets the terms now Lettings operators now realise that their ‘new’ tech savvy tenants, expect an instant 24/7 level of service as standard Thought Leadership by Adam Pigott CEO of tlyfe and OpenBrix | Consumer-Centric Property Platform  ‘Tenants weren’t the ones deciding that…
Read More
Breaking News

No-deposit mortgages could cost first-time buyers

No-deposit mortgage could cost London first-time buyers £73,000 more in interest over first five years The latest research by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that whilst the emergence of no-deposit mortgages provides a welcome route onto the property ladder for buyers struggling to save, the cost of doing so is…
Read More
Breaking News

Beach hut values fall for second consecutive year

The latest research from Yopa has found that beach hut prices have fallen for the second consecutive year across the UK’s most sought-after coastal locations, as the extraordinary growth seen in the years immediately following the pandemic continues to unwind. Yopa analysed the average asking price of beach huts across eight of the UK’s most…
Read More
Breaking News

Burnham’s property and land tax: what would it mean for property owners?

With reports suggesting that property and land taxes could be on the cards under Burnham,  Simon Gerrard, Chairman of Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents, comments on what these proposals could mean for homeowners, particularly those in London who are likely to bear the brunt of any changes, given the capital’s significantly higher property values.   On uncertainty:…
Read More
Property for sale
Breaking News

Homebuyers can save up to 47% by looking next door to the UK’s priciest postcodes

New research reveals how much less buyers could pay in postcodes neighbouring the UK’s most expensive locations Homes in these neighbouring areas are 28% cheaper on average, with the biggest gap reaching 47% in the North East Significant savings also seen in London, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland   Homebuyers could save up to 47%…
Read More