Homeowners plan improvements instead of moving

By MoneyhighStreet Staff. Published on June 15, 2008 This post currently has no comments.

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As the UK mortgage market tightens and house prices begin to slide, more people might consider taking out loans and improving their existing properties.

Jason Orme, editor of Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine, explained that the tightening of the mortgage market was making people consider how they could alter and improve their existing home, rather than think about moving.

He explained: "If anything we''ll see people beginning to spend a bit more [on DIY and home improvements] in future.

"The reason for that is people are finding it more difficult to move because they just can''t sell their house.

"[There are a] number of people adapting their house to suit their changing needs, people who haven''t been put off having a bigger family but may not be able to move, so therefore the amount of money they are spending on their houses may well increase rather than decrease."

Recently, findings from Sainsbury''s Home Insurance showed that 21 per cent of British homeowners were planning on spending an average of £17,361 on major construction projects in the coming year. This suggests many may use loans to finance the work.