Property Rescue Blog

This week the government has announced a £1bn package of measures designed to help homeowners through the current financial crisis.  Whilst everyone must surely welcome this news, the question as to whether it will go any way towards resolving the stagnant housing market remains unanswered.

In brief, the measures include:

• raising the threshold at which stamp duty becomes payable on property     purchase from £125,000 to £175,000 – effective immediately
• more government help with mortgage interest payments for those on income support or claiming job seekers allowance, plus a reduction in the length of time such people have to wait before they’re entitled to this help (a reduction from 39 weeks to 13 weeks)
• raising the threshold of the loan value on which people on income support and job seekers allowance can get help with interest payments – up by £75,000 to £175,000
• £200m into a scheme whereby ‘social landlords’, such as councils and housing associations, will help homeowners who get into difficulties – perhaps through part ownership or additional lending

Some first time buyers who have been putting off the purchase of their first home may be persuaded that this is now a good time to enter the market.  If this happens it could provide a kick start to the bottom property tier and help those in existing chains to complete.  However, there is scepticism over the effectiveness of these measures because none of them address the issue of money supply, which has been at the heart of the credit crunch  The number of mortgages being approved has fallen by more than 70% over the past year – a trend that is expected to continue.  Without funds available for first time buyers and others, the housing market seems doomed to remain in its current state of malaise.

Interest rates were held at 5% by the Bank of England at its meeting on 4 September – the fifth month in a row that rates have remained static as the Bank struggle to contain rising inflation.  The threat of a recession could, however, mean that the Monetary Policy Committee elect to reduce interest rates very soon in an attempt to buoy up a flagging economy.

Homeowners in debt should study these new measures carefully.  Some could find that the help on offer from the government is enough to see them through current difficulties, but inevitably there will be those for whom the situation is too dire or the financial problems too deep.  If you are facing the possibility of losing your home, talk to Property Rescue about their guarantee to buy your property.  Their service could allow you to stay in your home, rescue your credit rating and get through the hard times ahead.  Contact them for an informal chat without any obligation.