The UK has recorded the biggest monthly fall in house prices since early 2021, according to an index.
The average property’s value fell by 0.4% in October, marking the third month-on-month drop seen in the past four months, Halifax said.
October’s month-on-month decrease follows monthly falls of 0.1% in both July and September and a 0.3% increase in August.
Meanwhile, annual house price growth slowed to 8.3% in October, from 9.8% growth recorded in September.
Across the UK, the average house price in October was £292,598, which was the lowest figure since May this year, although typical prices remained near record highs, according to the lender.
Elsewhere, annual price growth among home movers fell to 8.9% in October, from 10.3% in September.
The price growth slowdown for first-time buyers was more notable, slowing from 10.1% in September to 7.5% in October.
Given the greater challenges for first-time buyers in deposit-raising, plus tighter requirements for higher loan-to-value mortgages, the faster slowdown in prices is not surprising, the bank said.
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Kim Kinnaird, director of Halifax Mortgages, said: “Though the recent period of rapid house price inflation may now be at an end, it’s important to keep this in context, with average property prices rising more than £22,000 in the past 12 months, and by almost £60,000 [25.7%] over the last three years, which is significant.
“While a post-pandemic slowdown was expected, there’s no doubt the housing market received a significant shock as a result of the mini budget, which saw a sudden acceleration in mortgage rate increases.
“While it is likely that those rates have peaked for now – following the reversal of previously announced fiscal measures – it appears that recent events have encouraged those with existing mortgages to look at their options, and some would-be homebuyers to take a pause.
“Understandably we have also seen consumer caution grow as industry data shows mortgage approvals and demand for borrowing declining.”
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Last week, the Bank of England (BoE) increased the base rate to 3%, from 2.25% previously.
This was the latest in a string of base rate increases, meaning that since December last year the average monthly tracker mortgage payment will have increased by £284.17 in total, according to figures from trade association UK Finance.
Andrew Simmonds, director at Bristol-based Parker’s Estate Agents, said: “Since the summer, I’ve been telling vendors that their house is worth what it was worth 12 months ago. I’ve lost instructions because they’ve said ‘nah’.”
He added: “Plenty have since come back to me saying: ‘You were right’.”
Source: ITV News