At the 10th annual Housing Market Intelligence conference held in London earlier this week Housing Minister Grant Shapps urged a rethink of the property market so that the emphasis is on places to live rather than income. He wants to see a leveling, or even a drop, in house prices until housing becomes more affordable to the majority. This is a focus which could certainly benefit first time buyers but which will undoubtedly concern property investors.
The HMI conference brings together a wide range of property professionals, Government officials and other interested parties who all contribute their opinions on what role they believe the property market should play in the economy.
The key speakers there were:
Pete Redfern, ceo Taylor Wimpey
Richard Werth, ceo Banner Homes Group plc
Stephen Noakes, mortgage director Lloyds Banking Group
Sir John Banham, chairman of the Future Homes Commission
Peter Schofield, director general for neighbourhoods, DCLG
Dr Diana Montgomery, ceo Construction Products Association
Stewart Baseley, executive chairman HBF
John Stewart, director of economics HBF
Andrew Whitaker, planning director HBF
Richard Donnell, director Hometrack
Anthony Codling, managing director Jefferies International ltd
We are interested to hear from you what you think about house prices, should the government encourage rising prices, or are you in favour of house prices coming down relative to salary?
We have set up a thread in our Forum, please click here to give your opinions.
