The average house price has increased by a little over 24% since the start of the pandemic. Demand grew when lockdowns began and the need to fit into a new pandemic lifestyle started which included the need to work, study, get fit, cook, and entertain at home became mandatory. The race for space, as it was called, pushed demand in the housing market at a time when interest rates were at an all-time over 300 plus years historic low. 

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has been taking action to slow fast rising inflation in the UK. During each of the last five consecutive MPC meetings the standard base interest rate has seen an increase. The first began last December when the rate was increased from the long standing over 300 years historic low of 0.1%. As of the June meeting, the rate had been lifted to 1.25%. There was not a meeting in July, and the next is scheduled for August. The Banks’s Governor has warned the next increase could be higher than the 0.25% increases seen this year at a possible 0.50% which would be the largest hike since 1995.

The UK average house price has increased again and this comes as interest rates are higher than buyers have faced in over a decade. According to Rightmove, an online property lister, the average price of the housing market is £369,968, which is up 9.3% in the past twelve months. The price is a bit higher than recorded in May of 0.3%, but below April’s data of 2.1%.

In the span of a few days, reports and opinions of experts offered conflicting accounts of what was expected of the UK housing market. Some report the housing market will be resilient and house prices will rise even into next year. Other reports forecast a slowdown of the market and in some cases a rapid slowdown. The reports may give conflicting expectations, but as to the expectation of rising interest rates, most if not all forecast hikes of the standard base interest rate by the Bank of England.

Homeowners are likely to experience shock when it comes time to remortgage. When their mortgage term ends, there is the choice to remortgage or allow their lender to move their loan to the lender’s standard variable rate or SVR. The SVR is considered a risky choice for households that do not have budgets capable of handling frequent changes to the interest rate. This is especially so when interest rates are being increased such as has already happened four times this year already. The shock will come when the homeowner reviews current interest rate offers. 

Inflation is a hot topic these days. It should be as it has the potential to make drastic financial impacts on the UK economy, businesses, and households. Homeowners are being warned to keep an eye on their mortgage due to inflation, and many are unware of exactly why that is so. The main reason is because as inflation grows, so likely will interest rates and that could mean a homeowner’s property loan is going to be more expensive.