Even in the midst of economic uncertainty, the UK real estate sector has historically been a stronghold of resilience and stability. The picture is still changing as 2024 approaches, offering opportunities as well as problems to homeowners and investors. Let’s delve into the complexities of the UK real estate market in 2024, looking at home prices, rental patterns, supply and demand dynamics, and the outlook for the upcoming year.
The Current Landscape and Trends
According to the House Price Index, UK house prices have grown by a modest 0.1% as of the first half of 2023. High inflation, rising interest rates, and the continuous cost-of-living crisis are some of the reasons for this constrained growth. As inflation levels down, initial projections of a 6–10% decline in housing values look improbable.
According to Bank of England predictions, the base rate will peak at 5.5% in early 2024 and then drop to about 3% by 2026. Anticipated market stability is predicted to cause a drop in mortgage rates, potentially making real estate investing more accessible and driving up property values.
The property market has not grown as quickly as it did in prior years, but it has nevertheless increased by 25.9% in the last five years because of the sharp rise in prices from 2020 to 2022. With London and other areas of England, such as the Midlands, South East, and East of England, exhibiting signs of a renaissance propelled by long-term shortages and expansion potential, 2024 appears destined to be a pivotal year.
Dynamics of the Rental Market
For the first time since 2010, renting officially became more affordable than purchasing in terms of monthly payments in August 2023. Because of a persistent shortage, a spike in demand, and a post-pandemic interest in city living, the rental market has prospered. In the twelve months preceding June 2023, the average rental price in the United Kingdom rose by 5.1%. According to JLL, rental prices will increase by an additional 15.9% between 2023 and 2027, demonstrating the long-term viability of this trend.
Prominent increases in rental prices have been especially noticeable in areas such as the West Midlands, which saw a leading growth rate of 5.4% in the past year. These predictions suggest that the rental rise will continue, as the UK economy is expected to surpass forecasts for GDP growth and unemployment.
Dynamics of Supply and Demand
Buyer demand for UK real estate decreased in 2023 due to variables like inflation and growing interest rates. Year-over-year, the number of residential transactions fell, with a substantial 22% fall in July 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. On the other hand, the rental market has seen a boom, with a rise in tenant demand that is more than 50% over average.
The UK is experiencing a severe housing shortage despite a decline in transactions; the government has not been able to meet its aim of constructing 300,000 new homes annually. At the current rate, it could take more than 50 years to close the nearly 4.3 million house deficit. Due to the undersupply, tenant demand is rising, particularly in affluent areas like Coventry and Birmingham. This highlights the potential for investment returns from a growing professional market that is trending towards renting.
House Price Forecast 2024
Despite falling less than expected in 2023, the housing industry nevertheless exceeded forecasts; however, issues such as rising mortgage and interest rates have impacted affordability. By the end of 2024, new seller asking prices are expected to decline by a meagre 1% nationwide, according to forecasts. This forecast is based on a more competitive selling environment, which indicates a return to typical market activity levels.
Tim Bannister, a property specialist, highlights the significance of competitive pricing, pointing to a 10% decrease in sales volume relative to the more typical market of 2019. It is now taking an average of 66 days for a seller to find a buyer, which emphasises the necessity for sellers to implement a competitive pricing plan. With 39% of homes seeing a reduction in asking price throughout the marketing phase, setting the right price from the start is essential to a successful sale.
The Rates of Mortgage Affordability
Since July, average mortgage rates have been gradually falling, giving home buyers more stability. Even if the mortgage market is more tranquil than it was a year ago, many homebuyers still struggle with affordability. It is anticipated that the Bank of England base rate will stay high in 2024, which will reduce some homebuyers’ purchasing power.
Prospects for the Future: More Options for Home Buyers
Buyers in 2024 can expect a wider selection of homes for sale, allowing them to negotiate prices and take their time in choosing the perfect property. Despite the fact that the quantity of properties up for sale has returned to pre-pandemic levels, there isn’t a sign that the market is oversupplied. Competitive pricing will draw attention from buyers, which is good news for anybody thinking about moving in 2024.
In Summary,
The UK real estate market in 2024 seems ready for a significant upheaval. Regional variances, market trends, and changing buyer preferences shape the environment, offering a wide range of opportunities for homeowners and investors. Unlocking the full potential of this constantly changing sector will require intelligent decision-making in line with the pulse of the market, whether looking into fractional ownership or buy-to-let options or buy for your personal use.
