Mortgages News

By Ross Finley LONDON (Reuters) - House prices fell in February for the first time in eight months after a strong start to the year, a report said on Tuesday, suggesting a recent pick-up in the property market may not be sustained. The average price of a home fell 0.2 percent after a robust 1.5 percent rise in January, according to figures from the Nationwide building society (NAT.UL: Quote, Profile, Research) . That took the annual rate of increase down to 3.7 percent from 4.4 in January. U ...

Mon 27th Feb 2006 The Standard Life Bank Freestyle 10-year fixed-rate mortgage offer has been relaunched with an interest rate fixed at 4.89 per cent for ten years. On March 8th 2016 the interest level will move to the freestyle standard variable rate, which is currently at 5.95 per cent. This offer is available at up to 75 per cent loan to value (LTV) and has an overall cost for compar ...

Sales of new homes in the US dropped for the second time in three months in January, putting pressure on the Federal Reserve to ease interest rates. The Commerce Department said that sales of new single-family homes dropped by 5% to a seasonally-adjusted rate of 1.23 million last month. The figures provided further evidence that the five-year housing boom was slowing, analysts said. They blamed the drop in sales on rising mortgage rates. January's 5% fall in home sales followed a revised 3 ...

LONDON (Reuters) - Approvals for home loans fell to their lowest in 12 months in January, but were still almost a third higher than a year ago, data from the British Bankers' Association showed on Monday. Mortgage approvals -- the number of loans agreed but not yet completed -- totalled 45,039 last month. That was 32 percent higher than January 2005, but weaker than December's 51,233. The figures are not adjusted to reflect seasonal patterns in the housing market, which means they can be volat ...

This is Money27 February 2006 A shortage of homes has made it a seller's market with prices rising for the third month a row according to figures released today. SELLER'S MARKET: A shortage of property on sale and increased interest has boosted house prices WANT TO KNOW MORE? REPORT: January mortgages hit all-time high DEAL FINDER: Best mortgage rates GUIDES: Buying and selling tips OTHER STORIES Vodafone writedown shock Women earn up to £1m less than men Market ...

House prices rose 0.4 per cent in February, according to Hometrack - traditionally one of the most pessimistic market surveys. The property research firm has now recorded increases in house prices for three months in a row, seeing the average value of a property reach £161,700. Additionally, the 0.4 per cent increase in the last four weeks represents the largest monthly rise since June 2004. "A ...

Jeff Prestridge, Mail on Sunday26 February 2006 WHO puts customers first? On one side is a bank that makes £4bn annual profits, pays its boss £1.9m and is closing branches. On the other is a mutual that makes £4m, pays its boss £114,000 and has just opened a new branch. Sounds like an open and shut case. . . WALKING AWAY: Eric Daniels, boss of Lloyds TSB, which is closing its branch in Writtle, Essex WANT TO KNOW MORE? REPORT: Banks shut one in five d ...