In a maybe not so surprising data release, Rightmove reported home buyers are not only staying in the market, but others are returning as confidence grows. Many experts forecasted a strong chill in the housing market due to rising interest rates. However, the housing market has remained resilient. Not only has it perhaps survived the worst, but optimism could be growing, which is a good sign for sellers as well as homeowners concerned about a decline in property values.

According to recent data from the ONS, there are more than a million households that will be facing higher interest rates in 2023 as they come off their mortgage deals. Over half of those facing the end of their mortgage terms obtained fixed rate deals when lenders were offering historically low rates. The change in interest rates could have homeowners paying hundreds of more pounds per month when they move to current rates.

There are hundreds of thousands of homeowners coming off historically low interest rates as numerous mortgages come to an end this year. It has been two years since many home buyers secured their low interest rate as a fixed deal and for the time being were safe from rate hikes. However, at the end of their mortgage term, their historically low rate will be no more, and they will be faced with interest rate choices many times the rate they were previously paying which could amount to hundreds of pounds more per month. 

Homeowners coming to the end of their mortgage term this year are encouraged to shop for a remortgage as soon as possible. Doing so will allow them to prepare to face higher interest rates and grab a deal that allows them to better afford their repayments, choose a low interest rate, possibly cash out built up equity to put money into hand, and choose a fixed deal to lock in their new rate. While there are many homeowners coming to the end of their mortgage term, even homeowners not nearing the end could benefit from a remortgage.

Homeowners, it is time to take notice, as there are banks that are holding back on their own rate hikes. This offers savings that would not have been there. The twelfth increase in a row of the standard base rate by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) occurred last week. The base rate rose from 4.25% to 4.5%. Borrowers could expect lenders to quickly make a change to their offerings, but some are not. This will benefit not only homeowners, but home buyers as well. With large levels of debt, it is advantageous to have access to the lowest interest rates possible to save money.

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met today and due to the latest report on the economy and the level of inflation voted to increase the standard base interest rate again. It makes the twelfth consecutive meeting the MPC has hiked the base rate since December 2021. The rate increased by 0.25% and is now 4.50%, which is the highest base rate since 2008.