Your views on current house prices in the UK - please?

[sir_spangle]

Hi, I am currently writing an investigation as a part of my A-level course - and i need as much information from the general public as possible. Anyone reading this please could they answer the following :) Where you live in the UK What type is your property e.g. House, terraced, flat etc If possible, price you agreed on for the property or current rent Are you employed, or unemployed? If you are employed, what is the title for your job? Per annum are your wages 4,5,6 figure? Do you live with anyone, e.g. married, sharing a flat. Do they contribute to pay? What do you think about the current prices in your area? Are they to high or are you seeing that the prices are becoming more stable. Thanks Ever so much for everyone who answers any of the questions above - i will give a special mention in my investigation for anyone who leaves their name. Thanks again John

[Norwich]

You aren't asking for much, are you? Here goes. I live in Ladbroke Grove, west London, in a flat within a renovated Victorian four story house. Cost �175,000 six years ago. Now worth approx �400-450,000. I'm a self-employed writer. wages: 5 figures. Married. My wife is a housewife. Prices are ridiculously high but really, who am I to complain? I'm benefiting. Prices in this area tend to be higher than elsewhere and stay higher or even go higher when prices flatten or fall elsewhere.

[sddsddean]

Ok, I'll see if I can remember it all. I live in a village in Northants. My house was one of the first built on a new estate on the edge of the village and I have a wonderful view. It will be 3 years old in Nov. On the second phase of the development, the last house to be built (which will be finished early next year) has no view and naff all garden. Mine was�165K and the new one is up for �230K. So thats an increase of 40% in 3 years. I am self employed, married and on 5 figures (turnover of company is 6 figures). Prices are just going bananas everywhere, but must start topping out soon. Hope this helps.

[couchy]

North West, Terraced House (2 bed with garden) renting at �325 a month (thats right)employed - call centre manager - 5 figure - wih partner - yes she does a lot - Prices in Macclesfield rising day by day and pricing youngsters and ftb out of the market. However you can still buy a 4 bed detached in a nice area with garden for well under �200k. Just hope prices do not spiral out of control like a lot of the south. What do I win again?

[couchy]

Also what might be useful for you is to look at the high income multiples and self certification mortgages offered by a lot of mortgage lenders today, is the ability to pay as important to lenders as it used to be?, as lenders increase the amount they are prepared to lend prices can keep going up and up and up and away..............

[FTVS]

) battersea S W london in a one bedroon rented flat - rent is about 900 pcm. Myself and my partner are both employed - we both earn five figures. We are looking to buy at the moment - a two bedroom flat in battersea will go for for 230 to 320k dependant condition/location. Prices have risen less this year and appear to be stabilising - in fact some vendors now reducing. Personal view is that the 3% stamp duty above 250k makes a big difference. I am certainly of view that I will not make money on any property buying now which is near the 250k mark. eg flat we are looking at now is lovely but is above a bar - is priced at 245k - will people really pay over 7500 stamp duty for a flat above a bar if I were to try and sell for some profit?

[nykkieberry]

Here goes! I own a two bedroomed semi in Farington, near Preston. Employed copywriter/freelance designer. Salary - 5 figures. Live with my two year old son. Paid 50k for my house in 2000 as a FTB, now worth 90k. House prices have gone through the roof (although not as much as in the South) I am glad that i got onto the housing market when i did - a lot of my FTB friends cannot afford to buy. I have been looking to move but would have to spend at least 140k on a house just a little larger than mine. Which I cannot justify! Decided to stay put and add a loft conversion and conservatory until moving is a viable option! I think we will all end up imporving our homes rather than moving. Maybe we are going back to the old days when a house was for life not just for Christmas!

[larrit]

Live in Wilton, Wiltshire in a converted two bedroom two floor maisonette, purchased for 45 thousand eight years ago, now worth approx 175 thousand. Employed, Health care worker graduate level, wages are 5 figure, cohabit with partner, partner wages 5 figure, contribute. House prices in area are high an example- a single bed flat with no central heating / double glazing / in need of refurb is now nearly 140 thousand - requires a high single income to afford it, before cost of renovation considered!!