The annual New Build & Affordable Housing event by Just Mortgages New Build Division took place this week on the 19th April 2023 at St Mary’s Church, Marleybone, London.
Financial Services Director John Doughty and Business Development Director Paul Wilson hosted the event, starting with guest speakers Andy Nelson and Sam Roskams from Homes England.
Homes England's Andy Nelson and Sam Roskams pictured above
The morning session concluded with John Doughty hosting the Mortgage Lender Panel Session featuring Paul McCarthy from Santander, Morne Jacobs for Halifax, Andy Dean from Nationwide and Matt Aston on behalf of Barclays.
L to R: John Doughty, Morne Jacobs, Paul McCarthy, Andy Dean and Matt Aston pictured above
After a quick coffee break, the event resumed with Paul Wilson hosting the second panel session of the day, comprised of Sarah Crockford representing Sage, Mark Porter from SO Resi, Steven Midgley for Peabody and Ayee Tavares for P A Housing.
L to R: Paul Wilson, Sarah Crockford, Mark Porter, Steven Midgley and Ayee Tavares pictured above
The panellists discussed current trends in the market and solution-based focuses for the relationship between lenders, housing associations, mortgage advisers and prospective buyers with aims to improve affordability, considering supply and demand.
Comparisons between current progress to previous difficult periods in the industry (such as overcoming the effects of the mini budget in September 2022) highlighted the positives that can be drawn from the general overview and current state of the market in 2023.
The recurring theme of positivity, resilience during Q1 and hope for the industry throughout Q2 and the remainder of 2023, reinforced the notion that there is still an “appetite to purchase”.
Guest Speaker Rachel Hunnisett from Green Finance Institute’s speech centralised on green initiatives, emphasising the importance of decarbonising modern homes and incentivising green mortgages.
Guest Speaker Rachel Hunnisett pictured above
Continually, David O’Leary from Home Builders Federation offered insight to the economic and political factors contributing to current housing supply challenges but reassured that ‘the need for new homes will not go away’.
Guest Speaker David O'Leary pictured above
The afternoon session continued with Santander’s Chief Economist, Frances Haque, presenting insight in to the current economic outlook and forecast for the UK economy.
Guest Speaker Frances Haque pictured above
The third and final Lender Panel of the day saw James Chutter from Leeds Building Society, Adam Sheldon from Kensington Mortgages, Michelle Ash for Newcastle Intermediaries, Brad Rhodes on behalf of Pepper Money and John Scrivens representing Skipton Building Society sit down with New Build’s John Doughty.
L to R: John Doughty, John Scrivens, Brad Rhodes, Adam Sheldon, James Chutter and Michelle Ash pictured above
The panellists discussed predictions for the future of mortgage rates and the reality of working in the housing industry throughout the cost of living crisis for not just first time buyers, but experienced homeowners and mortgage applicants alike.
Finally, on behalf of Zoopla, Alex Rose took to the stage to address the housing market outlook and key focus for new homes. Offering a greater insight to the wider market view, housing affordability, buying power across the country and trends in demand and sales, the presentation concluded that Sales activity is being supported by 65% more homes for sale compared to March 2022 and sales agreed 11% higher than 2019 at pre-pandemic levels.
Guest Speaker Alex Rose pictured above
With the New Build & Affordable Housing event seeing the largest turn out of guests and supporters so far, we are already looking forward to next year’s event. Just Mortgages would like to thank John Doughty, Paul Wilson, Helen Whitehead, Alex Scott and the rest of the Just Mortgages New Build Division for their efforts towards this year’s successful event.
John Doughty and Paul Wilson pictured above