Pioneer Mortgage and Protection Limited’s Post

Housing changes the UK hopes to see Before the election, property experts Rightmove carried out a survey to ascertain what this new government’s priorities should be when it comes to housing. Here is a roundup of what the nation is hoping for. Speed up housebuilding One of the top recommendations was making improvements to the housebuilding process1. Buyer demand has increased by 15% since 2019, but the number of available homes has not increased at the same rate. In fact, supply is 6% lower than before the pandemic. The rental market has experienced a similar challenge – tenant demand is 32% higher than 2019 but supply of rented homes is down 38%. As a result, asking prices and rents have increased. To solve this, Rightmove’s property expert Tim Bannister suggests “smoother planning processes to transform the delivery of new homes and produce more affordable housing”. Help for first-time buyers Another top priority was providing better support for first-time buyers (FTBs). It is perhaps unsurprising that this was the most popular request from renters, as now is a particularly challenging time to get a foot on the property ladder and the average age of FTBs is increasing2. Rightmove’s mortgage expert, Matt Smith commented,“it’s critical that the government works with regulators and lenders from day one on any mortgage solutions, to ensure buy in and take up, which will in turn create more options for first-time buyers.” Reform Stamp Duty Many have called for changes to Stamp Duty1. FTBs in England and Northern Ireland have been exempt from Stamp Duty on homes up to £425,000 since 2022. But this exemption (due to end in April 2025) is not beneficial for most FTBs in the capital, where house prices are higher than the rest of the UK. With this in mind, Tim Bannister reflects, “With such regional differences in property prices, increasing Stamp Duty thresholds in line with these regional differences would seem a logical first step for Stamp Duty reform.” Make homes greener Homeowners and renters would like to see the government put some incentives in place to encourage people to make their properties greener. Following Rishi Sunak’s announcement that private rented properties will no longer have to meet the minimum EPC rating of C, many landlords have put their plans to improve energy efficiency on the back burner. Rightmove commented, ‘Homeowners also need better and easier access to schemes that enable them to make green improvements, with the recognition that each home requires different improvements and that currently the upfront costs are a big barrier to change.’ We’re here for you As the UK settles into the new government, we are here to help you through any changes. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage 1Rightmove, 2BSA

Housing changes the UK hopes to see Before the election, property experts Rightmove carried out a survey to ascertain what this new government’s priorities should be when it comes to housing. Here is a roundup of what the nation is hoping for. Speed up housebuilding One of the top recommendations was making improvements to the housebuilding process1. Buyer demand has increased by 15% since 2019, but the number of available homes has not increased at the same rate. In fact, supply is 6% lower than before the pandemic. The rental market has experienced a similar challenge – tenant demand is 32% higher than 2019 but supply of rented homes is down 38%. As a result, asking prices and rents have increased. To solve this, Rightmove’s property expert Tim Bannister suggests “smoother planning processes to transform the delivery of new homes and produce more affordable housing”. Help for first-time buyers Another top priority was providing better support for first-time buyers (FTBs). It is perhaps unsurprising that this was the most popular request from renters, as now is a particularly challenging time to get a foot on the property ladder and the average age of FTBs is increasing2. Rightmove’s mortgage expert, Matt Smith commented,“it’s critical that the government works with regulators and lenders from day one on any mortgage solutions, to ensure buy in and take up, which will in turn create more options for first-time buyers.” Reform Stamp Duty Many have called for changes to Stamp Duty1. FTBs in England and Northern Ireland have been exempt from Stamp Duty on homes up to £425,000 since 2022. But this exemption (due to end in April 2025) is not beneficial for most FTBs in the capital, where house prices are higher than the rest of the UK. With this in mind, Tim Bannister reflects, “With such regional differences in property prices, increasing Stamp Duty thresholds in line with these regional differences would seem a logical first step for Stamp Duty reform.” Make homes greener Homeowners and renters would like to see the government put some incentives in place to encourage people to make their properties greener. Following Rishi Sunak’s announcement that private rented properties will no longer have to meet the minimum EPC rating of C, many landlords have put their plans to improve energy efficiency on the back burner. Rightmove commented, ‘Homeowners also need better and easier access to schemes that enable them to make green improvements, with the recognition that each home requires different improvements and that currently the upfront costs are a big barrier to change.’ We’re here for you As the UK settles into the new government, we are here to help you through any changes. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage 1Rightmove, 2BSA

Ready to take your first leap into homeownership? Here’s an article for you… Did you know you can purchase a property with as little as a 5% deposit? I’m excited to share my latest article, “The Ultimate Guide to 4 First Home Buyer Schemes and Grants for NSW”, where I delve into the different schemes designed to make your homeownership journey smoother and more affordable. In this article, I explore: ✅ First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme: Discover how you can get a full exemption or a reduced rate of stamp duty, easing your financial burden significantly. ✅ First Home Owner (New Home Grant): Learn about the $10,000 grant available for those buying or building their first new home. ✅ Home Guarantee Scheme: Understand how you can secure a home loan with a deposit as low as 5% without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. ✅ Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper: Find out how the NSW Government can contribute up to 40% of the purchase price for your first home. I break down the eligibility criteria and key elements of each scheme, providing you with a clear understanding of how they can benefit you. Whether it's stamp duty exemptions, grants, or government contributions, this guide covers everything you need to know to make informed decisions on your path to homeownership. Read the full article below and start your journey to owning your first home today! 👇🏼 https://lnkd.in/gNX8wMbX #FirstHomeBuyer #FirstHomeBuyerSchemes #Schemes #Homeownership #HomeLoan

Legislative changes to the Residential Tenancies Act Under the current regulations, landlords are restricted from terminating a periodic tenancy without a valid reason, such as the property owner relocating, the need for the property by an employee, property sale, or extensive renovations or demolition. Landlords must give a 63-day notice, while tenants must provide at least 28 days' notice. The proposed changes will enable landlords to issue a 90-day notice to conclude a periodic tenancy without specifying a reason or involving the Tenancy Tribunal. This change allows landlords and property managers to issue 90-day notices for various reasons, including removing problematic tenants displaying anti-social behaviour or consistently being late with rent payments. Tenant notice periods will be reduced to 21 days, ensuring a faster turnaround for those seeking to move house. The landlord's notice period will also be shortened from 63 days to a 42-day notice period. The government has outlined a phased plan to reinstate mortgage interest deductibility for rental properties, starting at 60% in 2023/2024, increasing to 80% in 2024/2025, and reaching 100% in 2025/2026. This move is expected to encourage property investors to re-enter the market, potentially expanding rental housing options for those facing difficulty finding accommodation. Additionally, the government intends to revert the bright-line property test to two years, effective July of the following year. Properties sold after July 1, 2024, will only be subject to the rule if owned for less than two years. Similar to the mortgage deductibility reinstatement, this adjustment is anticipated to motivate property investors to engage in real estate transactions, increasing the number of available rental properties. Introducing pet bonds will enable landlords to charge higher bonds to cover potential damage related to pets. This will reassure landlords that there will be sufficient bond to cover any related pet damage, meaning that landlords will be more likely to accept tenants with pets. A specific timeframe for these changes remains undisclosed except for the reintroduction of tax deductibility.

Property firm Rettie & Co. is forecasting Scottish house prices to rise by around 1.5 per cent in 2024, with overall residential property transaction activity increasing to approximately 4.3 per cent.    Rettie sees continued pressure on the private rental sector (PRS), with double-digit increases in average rents on new listings combined with a continuing fall in supply levels, subject to forthcoming government legislation.   Dr John Boyle, Director of Strategy and Research at Rettie & Co, said: “The market continues to adjust to a new environment including higher interest rates.  Demand has dropped back, but not excessively, and sales activity should recover in 2024, giving more buyers and sellers confidence to enter the market.  As for the rental market, there is likely to be continued pressure on the private rental sector (PRS), as demand has not dampened in the way it has in the sales market.”    John Boyle added: “Transactions have remained relatively robust this year, although they look like ending close to 10 per cent down on 2022 levels.  House prices have remained relatively robust in 2023, staying fairly flat across Scotland as a whole.”    Key points from Rettie & Co’s Winter Market Briefing include: - The latest figures for October 2023 from Registers of Scoland indicate the average Scottish house price was down 1.5 per cent against the same month last year.  However, the average house price between January to October 2023 is up 1 per cent when compared to the first 10 months of 2022.  - Transaction levels are down by 9 per cent in the first 10 months of 2023. - The main reason for the reduced sales market has been the sharp increase in mortgage rates. In early 2022, the average mortgage on a new purchase in Scotland was under £800 per calendar month but rose to over £1,200 per calendar month by mid-2023. - Tighter supply has supported house prices, particularly in more desirable locations and for family style housing.  However, some markets have been hit harder, for example the urban flatted market has been impacted by rising mortgage rates and the related affordability pressures on younger households, who tend to have less equity reserves.  - The new build market has been more severely impacted, with sales down 15 per cent in the first 10 months of 2023.  In addition to a reduction in demand, the new build sector has also faced supply-side problems with rising construction costs, and labour market and supply chain pressures.  This has impacted on the viability of developments in many areas, slowing delivery.   - The rental market remains in a condition of significant excess demand, pushing up advertised rents and reducing time to let.  Scottish Government solutions to tackle rising rents with price caps may further reduce availability, leading to significant shortages in pressed markets. [The Herald Scotland report].

Condos are emerging as the new starter homes for many budget-conscious buyers, offering affordability and a pathway to homeownership in a competitive real estate market. https://lnkd.in/ejGgKsQS

When will we learn that regulations made by uninformed bureaucrats will create ripple effect that will most likely distort negatively the market? Rent control, a policy intended to keep housing affordable, has been a subject of debate due to its unintended consequences. A recent sale of a rent-stabilized building in Inwood, Manhattan, highlights the adverse effects of these regulations on the real estate market. Despite its non-distressed status, the building sold at a significantly low price, underscoring how rent control can distort market dynamics. This analysis explores the negative impacts of rent control, the role of regulatory inefficiencies, and potential mitigation strategies for entrepreneurs and investors. The Inwood building at 610 West 204th Street sold for $3.8 million, or $79,000 per unit, well below the neighborhood average of $88,685 per unit. Despite being in good condition with few violations, the property’s rent-stabilized status significantly lowered its market value. The high mortgage rates further complicated the sale, highlighting the compounded challenges faced by owners of rent-stabilized properties. This case exemplifies the broader trend of declining property values due to rent control, as potential buyers factor in the regulatory constraints and limited revenue potential. The Inwood building sale is indicative of a broader issue where rent-stabilized properties sell for significantly less than their market-rate counterparts. This devaluation impacts not just individual sellers but also the overall market, leading to lower property tax revenues and reduced incentives for maintaining or upgrading properties. With reduced revenue from rent-stabilized units, landlords often struggle to maintain properties. This can lead to a decline in housing quality over time, affecting tenants and neighborhoods. The long-term consequence is a deterioration of the housing stock, counteracting the initial goal of providing affordable and livable housing. Rent control policies are often shaped by bureaucrats who may lack a comprehensive understanding of the real estate market. This disconnect results in regulations that fail to address market realities and create negative ripple effects. For instance, the restrictions on rent increases do not account for rising maintenance costs, squeezing landlords' finances and discouraging investment in rent-stabilized properties. The case of the Inwood building underscores the complex impacts of rent control on the real estate market. While intended to protect tenants, these regulations often result in decreased property values, investor hesitation, and maintenance issues. Addressing these challenges requires informed regulatory approaches and strategic adaptations by market participants. By learning from past experiences and implementing balanced policies, it is possible to mitigate the negative effects of rent control and promote a healthier real estate market.

Exciting news! The real estate market in Williamson and Travis County is starting to cool off. The latest appraisal valuations from the Williamson Central Appraisal District show that the average values for residential properties have decreased compared to previous years. In 2024, the median value of homes in Williamson County is $412,310, slightly lower than the $414,869 in 2023, and a significant 12.9% drop from $473,325 in 2022. Similarly, the Travis Central Appraisal District reported that the median market value for residential properties in Travis County in 2024 is $551,419, marking a 12.8% decrease since 2022. With the rising cost of living in Austin and its neighboring areas, these numbers offer hope for prospective homebuyers. #costofliving #austin #traviscounty #williamsoncounty #affordability #housing https://lnkd.in/gJ8qRCzK

Condos are emerging as the new starter homes for many budget-conscious buyers, offering affordability and a pathway to homeownership in a competitive real estate market. https://lnkd.in/eaarzYfy

The search for your first home When you are out scouting for your first home, you might jump on Google and find ads offering “cheap homes for sale”. Take those ads with a grain of salt! Real estate property prices around Australia have been climbing despite rising interest rates. Since CoreLogic’s national Home Value Index bottomed out in Jan 2023, values have increased 11.1%. The average price of Australian residential property has grown by more than 80% over the past ten years. https://lnkd.in/gyMzetEy