Buy-to-let begins the fight back
The buy-to-let (BTL) sector was one of the biggest casualties of the credit crisis. At its lowest point (September 2009) 95% of all deals available at the peak of the market (August 2007) were withdrawn.
However, the BTL market has now started its fight back.
The number of BTL mortgages available has grown 70% since September 2009, increasing from 179 to 304, and encouragingly a number of these deals are at higher LTV levels.
Lenders are reappearing back in the sector and average rates are continuing to fall.
Date |
Number of BTL Products available |
|
August 2007 (Peak) |
3,662 |
|
September 2009 (Low) |
179 |
|
May 2010 |
304 |
|
Source: Moneyfacts.co.uk 19.05.10 |
||
Max LTV |
% of total deals September 2009 |
% of total deals May 2010 |
80% |
1.40% |
4.24% |
75% |
24.20% |
29.07% |
70% |
21.40% |
25.82% |
65% |
15.30% |
14.40% |
60% |
30.60% |
26.47% |
50% |
7.10% |
0.00% |
Source: Moneyfacts.co.uk 19.05.10 |
||
Deal |
Sep-09 |
May-10 |
Average 2 year fixed |
5.96% |
5.66% |
Average 2 year tracker |
4.59% |
4.49% |
Tracker margin above base rate |
4.09% |
3.99% |
Source: Moneyfacts.co.uk 19.05.10 |
||
Darren Cook, spokesman for Moneyfacts.co.uk commented:
“This is encouraging news for investors, especially those who were locked out of the market as the maximum available LTV’s fell.
“Competition has returned to the market, as lenders make cuts to their new borrowing rates.
“Saffron and Melton Mowbray Building Societies have returned to the market during the past month, while new lender Bank of China continues to successfully find its niche. Both are signs that this market is starting to become a more viable and safer option for lenders.
“Predicted changes to capital gain tax (CGT) could put the recovery of the BTL sector off track.
“Government sources predict that CGT on non-business assets, including buy-to-let properties, could rise from 18% to a figure that could be as high as 40%.
“In a separate blow the annual exemption limit for CGT, currently £10,100, may come down to as low as £2,500. This will bring hundreds of thousands more people into the tax net.
“One possible consequence could be an increase in the preferred investor properties on to the market as people scramble to take any current gains.
“The changes could spark a downward price spiral, but could create opportunities for both homebuyers and potential landlords.”
Moneyfacts Group
Moneyfacts is the UK’s leading independent provider of personal financial information and our data is used and trusted throughout the financial industry.
Think carefully before securing other debts against your home, your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Go Direct.co.uk is a trading style for website purposes of Go Direct UK Ltd.
Go Financial Services is a trading style of Go Direct UK Ltd which is an appointed representative of Personal Touch Financial Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England & Wales Company 5703224.
We normally do not charge a fee for mortgage advice, however a fee paying option is available. Our typical fee would be £500