New Home Owners And Snagging Forum

Home Owners => House Prices and the housing market => Topic started by: Philofacts on January 09, 2012, 12:30:15 pm

Title: First-time buyers should check out the cheaper areas
Post by: Philofacts on January 09, 2012, 12:30:15 pm

Affordability has improved this year in many parts of the UK.
To measure affordability, Halifax takes the average prices of homes in each local authority area and then compares this to the average earnings in that area.
If a home costs less than four-times salary it is deemed "affordable"

Current affordability is at an eight-year high, with homes affordable in 44% of local authority districts.
The present low interest rates mean a first-time buyer would need to allow 26% of take home pay for the mortgage against the long-term average of 34%.

Best areas for affordability for first time buyers are the North East, North West, East Midlands and Wales.