Mortgages

Nationwide's house price index for December shows the market continues to slide as house prices dipped nationwide by 0.2% on average.

A region of Scotland tops this year's list of places with the highest annual house price inflation, the Bank of Scotland says.

Figures published by the British Banker's Association suggest gross mortgage lending slowed in November for the second month in a row, sending such lending down nearly 12% on the same month last year.

Gross lending fell 4% in November with further figures expecting to reveal a slowdown in the housing market until at least the Spring 2005.

Over half of the UK's buy-to-let landlords are likely to maintain or increase their property portfolios over the next 12 months, suggests a survey, because they have owned rental property for more than three years.

An array of proposals designed to integrate the EU mortgage credit industry are being supported by the Council of Mortgage Lenders because it addresses a huge selection of issues including tax distortions.

Mortgage advisers and lenders could be required over the next few years to disclose charges, early repayment fees and additional data upfront in a manner similar to that imposed under depolarisation.

First time buyers in the UK take an average of four years and six months to save up enough money for a typical 5% deposit, new figures from National Savings and Investments suggest.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders is predicting house prices will grow 4% in 2005 but mortgage lending will slow, according to its latest forecasts for 2005-2007.

There are now only four streets left on the original London Monopoly board whose houses and hotels do not cross the £263,000 inheritance tax threshold, says Prudential.