House prices went up in December by 1.3%
According to the Halifax house price inflation fell sharply at the end of last year, but rising at an annual rate of 5.2%. They still rose by 1.3% in December half the rate from three months earlier. “This mixed pattern of monthly price rises and falls is a typical characteristic of a subdued market,” said Martin Ellis, chief economist at the Halifax.
There are many reasons now why rates need to be cut.
Businesses make capital and investment decisions based on possible growth of their companies. Or they may implement cost cutting measures.
The bad credit mortgages credit crunch has strangled credit; banks are in no mood to ease the pressure at the current rates.
Economists tend to point to 4.5 to 5% as the neutral point. This is the level at which rates are seen as either slowing the economy or driving it forward. First time buyers might stand a chance of making a decision. Nobody wants to by at the wrong price.
It is hard to overstate the effect they have on consumers. Notwithstanding Halifax’s figures yesterday, the trend looks set for flat prices this year at best. Home-owners, used to the warm feeling from the automatic 10 or 20 per cent appreciation of their homes each year, are going to feel chillier and poorer.
There is very little danger that a rate cut would produce an upturn in the housing market. Whatever happens to base rate, mortgage bills will remain much higher than then. The banks haven’t fully passed on last month’s cut. Remortgage rates shouldn’t change drastically.
