UK HOUSING MARKET: Do the green shoots have roots? Martin Gahbauer Chief Economist Nationwide Building Society
Outline The big picture Current market trends What is the true affordability picture? Longer term market considerations
The big picture – 4 possible scenarios What sort of recovery? Gradual recovery V ShapeL shape W shape double dip
The big picture – recent trends
The big picture – Labour market
Recent housing market trends - Activity
Recent market trends - Prices
Recent trends – Supply/demand balance
Recent trends – Restricted supply
Recent trends – House building
Recent trends – Restricted supply
What is the true affordability picture?
Longer term considerations – Public debt
Longer term considerations – Exit from QE
Longer term considerations – Supply
Conclusions Macro picture looking better but don’t assume we are out of the woods Housing market transactions have bottomed at very low level Housing only affordable if you assume interest rates will remain low forever and everyone has the required deposit Deterioration of public finances could put upward pressure on mortgage rates in the long term Housing construction not keeping pace with household growth