This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36726695

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Fear factor behind property fund withdrawals, say experts Fear factor behind property fund withdrawals, say experts
(about 1 hour later)
The fear factor is causing investors to withdraw money from commercial property funds, according to one of the City's senior fund managers.The fear factor is causing investors to withdraw money from commercial property funds, according to one of the City's senior fund managers.
Philip Nell, a fund director at Hermes, said there had been "a massive over-reaction to what's been going on over the last two weeks".Philip Nell, a fund director at Hermes, said there had been "a massive over-reaction to what's been going on over the last two weeks".
Mr Nell used to run the Aviva property fund that closed its doors along with two other funds earlier this week. Mr Nell used to run the Aviva property fund that closed its doors along with five other funds this week.
Henderson Global Investors suspended two more property funds on Wednesday. Henderson, Canada Life and Threadneedle became the latest on Wednesday.
Other experts said it was "too early to call Armageddon" in the housing market.Other experts said it was "too early to call Armageddon" in the housing market.
"Fundamentally I think there's a fear factor and a liquidity concern: How quickly can I liquidate assets if I need to?" said Mr Nell."Fundamentally I think there's a fear factor and a liquidity concern: How quickly can I liquidate assets if I need to?" said Mr Nell.
On Wednesday, the Bank of England acted to calm the markets by giving banks more freedom to lend money, including to mortgage customers.On Wednesday, the Bank of England acted to calm the markets by giving banks more freedom to lend money, including to mortgage customers.
'Rush for the door''Rush for the door'
But that has not been sufficient to assuage concerns about property prices.But that has not been sufficient to assuage concerns about property prices.
Mr Nell said he believed commercial property prices would fall, but was not able to say by how much.Mr Nell said he believed commercial property prices would fall, but was not able to say by how much.
"I think there is a reason for them to fall. I think the pressure on rent will probably drop. I think tenant demand will fall off, broadly, for office space in London.""I think there is a reason for them to fall. I think the pressure on rent will probably drop. I think tenant demand will fall off, broadly, for office space in London."
As far as the residential market is concerned, the Bank of England has voiced particular concern about buy-to-let investors, who represent 17% of borrowers.As far as the residential market is concerned, the Bank of England has voiced particular concern about buy-to-let investors, who represent 17% of borrowers.
But Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), played down such worries for the moment.But Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), played down such worries for the moment.
Speaking at a Rics conference, he said, "The concern at the Bank of England is that investors might all rush for the door at the same time. We might think differently in this room."Speaking at a Rics conference, he said, "The concern at the Bank of England is that investors might all rush for the door at the same time. We might think differently in this room."
Share price collapseShare price collapse
The latest Rics survey- taken before the EU referendum vote - suggested that prices were expected to fall anyway over the next three months, with house price inflation dropping to the low single digits by the end of the year.The latest Rics survey- taken before the EU referendum vote - suggested that prices were expected to fall anyway over the next three months, with house price inflation dropping to the low single digits by the end of the year.
"A period of slow house price inflation is no bad thing," said Mr Rubinsohn. "But my bigger concern is that we are seeing a slow-down in activity.""A period of slow house price inflation is no bad thing," said Mr Rubinsohn. "But my bigger concern is that we are seeing a slow-down in activity."
He also said he was concerned about the attitude of High Street banks, which have become increasingly reliant on mortgage lending.He also said he was concerned about the attitude of High Street banks, which have become increasingly reliant on mortgage lending.
"Will mortgage lenders want to lend, given they have so much lending already on their books?""Will mortgage lenders want to lend, given they have so much lending already on their books?"
He is also worried about whether developers will slow down building projects, as a result of falls in their share prices. Shares in Persimmon, for example, have fallen 38% since the referendum.He is also worried about whether developers will slow down building projects, as a result of falls in their share prices. Shares in Persimmon, for example, have fallen 38% since the referendum.
'Armageddon''Armageddon'
Most experts agree that the uncertainty about the UK economy will have a negative impact on house prices in the months ahead.Most experts agree that the uncertainty about the UK economy will have a negative impact on house prices in the months ahead.
But Lucian Cook, head of UK residential research at Savills, believes cheap borrowing costs will support prices.But Lucian Cook, head of UK residential research at Savills, believes cheap borrowing costs will support prices.
"It's far too early to be calling Armageddon," he said. "The fundamental is that we remain in a low interest rate environment.""It's far too early to be calling Armageddon," he said. "The fundamental is that we remain in a low interest rate environment."
Some economists are expecting the Bank of England to cut rates in both July and August. However, mortgage rates - with the exception of tracker mortgages - may not necessarily get any cheaper.Some economists are expecting the Bank of England to cut rates in both July and August. However, mortgage rates - with the exception of tracker mortgages - may not necessarily get any cheaper.
In the short term, Mr Cook expects prices to ebb and flow along with the news about the UK's negotiations with the EU.In the short term, Mr Cook expects prices to ebb and flow along with the news about the UK's negotiations with the EU.
"Buyer sentiment will be fragile," he said. "The question is, how long will that sentiment last?""Buyer sentiment will be fragile," he said. "The question is, how long will that sentiment last?"
Meanwhile, Philip Nell is adamant that falls in commercial property prices will not affect house prices.Meanwhile, Philip Nell is adamant that falls in commercial property prices will not affect house prices.
"I don't expect there to be a significant sell-off of housing. I think house price growth will tail off, but I don't expect it to go negative.""I don't expect there to be a significant sell-off of housing. I think house price growth will tail off, but I don't expect it to go negative."