Martin Ellis Quotes (14 Quotes)

The continuing high level of house prices in relation to earnings will curb the ability of many potential first-time buyers to enter the market.

The buoyancy of both the housing and mortgage markets indicates that the marked slowdown in the world economy and the recession in the UK manufacturing sector have so far had little adverse impact on consumer sentiment,

The annual percentage increase in house prices nationally in 2005 was the smallest for 10 years.

The rise in prices in the first three months of 2006 was...slower than the gains recorded in the two final quarters of 2005.

House prices fell slightly in January for the first time since May...Despite this fall, prices have increased by 1.6 over the past three months.

These falls need to be viewed in the context of the substantial price rises recorded in these parts of the country during the last few years.

The UK housing market is set for a period of broad stability... low single digit growth is expected to be the norm across most of the country.

Council tax bills are growing significantly faster than inflation.

The combination of improving economic growth, low interest rates and high employment will continue to underpin a healthy level of housing demand over the next few months.

The easing in economic growth over the past year, together with a ratio of house price to average earnings that remains historically high, is expected to curb housing demand, and therefore prevent a renewed surge in house prices.

Further above inflation rises in fuel and council tax bills are expected to drive up further the costs of owning and running a home this year. Council tax and utility bills will overtake mortgage payments as the largest cost for homeowners this year.

The weakening labor market, the continuing high level of house prices in relation to earnings and pressure on householders' finances from the recent hikes in utility and council tax bills are expected to curb demand in the coming months, therefore preventing a sustained acceleration in house price inflation.

This pickup in monthly house-price inflation is consistent with the continuing upward trend in market activity in recent months and the previous pattern of house price movements when the Bank of England begins to reduce interest rates.

We expect this trend to continue during 2006 as house prices rise at a slower pace than earnings, therefore making it a little easier for first-time buyers to enter the market.