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Housing demand highest since 2009, say surveyors Housing demand highest since 2009, say surveyors
(about 1 hour later)
Demand for flats and houses in the UK has risen to its highest level for three and a half years, according to an industry survey. Demand for flats and houses in the UK rose to its highest level for three and a half years in April, according to an industry survey.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said more people were now interested in buying property than at any time since November 2009.The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said more people were now interested in buying property than at any time since November 2009.
Rics said that the government's new housing initiative, Help to Buy, was one reason for the increase in demand.Rics said that the government's new housing initiative, Help to Buy, was one reason for the increase in demand.
The survey also suggested that prices rose over the past three months. Separate figures have shown an increase in the number of first-time buyers.
For the first time since the summer of 2010, a majority of surveyors reported that prices had increased. The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said that 19,100 people took out loans to buy their first property in March, a 20.1% increase on the previous month.
However, that was far fewer than in March last year, when house buyers rushed to complete deals in order to beat the end of a stamp duty holiday.
The CML also reported a significant increase in lending to all home-buyers.
The number of loans to home-owners rose by 14.8% in March from the month before.
Help to Buy
The Rics survey also said that a majority of surveyors had reported an increase in prices last month, the first rise since the summer of 2010.
"It is encouraging to see government initiatives are having an impact on the property market," said Peter Bolton King of Rics."It is encouraging to see government initiatives are having an impact on the property market," said Peter Bolton King of Rics.
"Help to Buy in combination with the Funding for Lending Scheme appears to be giving the market a shot in the arm," he said."Help to Buy in combination with the Funding for Lending Scheme appears to be giving the market a shot in the arm," he said.
The first stage of Help to Buy began last month.The first stage of Help to Buy began last month.
New borrowers are able to get a government loan of up to 20% of a property's value, to help them get on the housing ladder.New borrowers are able to get a government loan of up to 20% of a property's value, to help them get on the housing ladder.
A second stage will begin in January, when the government will guarantee mortgage payments.
The CML said that lenders were also helping to boost the market.
"More borrowers are taking out higher loan-to-value mortgages than any other time in the last four years," said Paul Smee, the CML's director general.
"That's a sign that lenders are open for business, and that borrowers, even those without a large deposit, are increasingly able to get a foot on the property ladder."
However, Rics sounded a warning that more houses need to be built to stop prices rising too fast.However, Rics sounded a warning that more houses need to be built to stop prices rising too fast.
"There are some understandable concerns that the measures will also lead to higher prices. In view of this, it is critical that developers are as good as their word and speed up the delivery of new stock," said Mr Bolton King."There are some understandable concerns that the measures will also lead to higher prices. In view of this, it is critical that developers are as good as their word and speed up the delivery of new stock," said Mr Bolton King.