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It's been a week of ups and downs in the property world. Nationwide announced that house prices have gone up by over 10% in the year to April 2010, the first double-digit rise for three years. And also on the up are mortgage approvals - 20% higher in March 2010 than in the same month last year. Meanwhile down go fixed rate mortgages, falling to their lowest interest level in two years.
Against this encouraging backdrop, pre-election jitters have been blamed for many prospective buyers putting off the decision to move until after polling day and, in some areas, supply is overwhelming demand leading to a slow-down in momentum.
And finally...it could be back to the classroom for first-time buyers, as a leading debt charity is suggesting that home loans should come complete with health warnings and only granted to those who have studied and passed an exam in order to avoid the pitfalls of getting into debt.
Annual house price growth reached double figures for the first time in nearly three years during April, research showed.
The Telegraph, 29/04/2010
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The housing market continued to lose momentum during April as potential buyers remained cautious in the face of the General Election, research showed.
The Telegraph, 25/04/10
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Prices rise by an average of just 0.2%, although annual pace of growth is at its strongest for more than two years.
The Guardian, 26/04/10
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Average two year fixed rates have fallen by 3.36 percentage points since April 2008.
The Telegraph, 26/04/10
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The number of mortgages granted by banks to home buyers in March was a fifth higher than in the same month last year, according to the British Bankers' Association.
The Telegraph, 27/04/10
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Mortgages should only be given to some first-time buyers "after study and an exam", according to the chairman of a debt charity.
BBC News, 28/04/10
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