Buy-to-let activity spikes in June, despite challenging financial climate

Searches on behalf of portfolio landlords rocketed by 21% in June amid a notable rise in BTL purchase activity, according to new data from Legal & General’s SmartrCriteria tool.

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Property Reporter
29th July 2022
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Searches on behalf of portfolio landlords saw a rise of 21%, while those for consumer buy-to-let mortgages grew by 7%. ‘Holiday let/Air BnB’ was also the ninth most searched criteria point, up from tenth in May.

Bank of Mum and Dad remains resilient despite the cost-of-living crunch

June data suggests that family members continue to play a key role in helping first-time buyers onto the property ladder. ‘First-time buyer/first-time landlord/non-owner occupier’ was the third most used criteria point, while ‘joint borrower sole proprietor’ took the fifth spot.

Despite wider economic pressure, the number of searches for guarantor/family assist mortgages and gifted equity/concessionary purchase mortgages both remained comparable to May (dropping by 1% and rising by 0.4% respectively).

Specialist products and advisers retain a crucial role in the market

Demand for specialist products remained high in June, with searches on behalf of applicants purchasing discounted market sale properties rocketing by 66%. Let-to-buy applicants also rose by 7%. As in May, most searches were made on behalf of applicants with a VISA.

Danny Belton, Head of Lender Relationships, Legal & General Mortgage Club, comments: “It is reassuring to see strong demand across the board despite wider economic pressure. The fifth consecutive base rate rise, which came mid-month, does not seem to have dented the high levels of activity in the market and brokers and lenders alike are still as busy as ever.

“With product criteria changes coming thick and fast, advisers have a crucial role in reassuring and educating buyers through what might be a more difficult mortgage journey.”

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