Another week...
... another big crash prediction from MoneyWeek.
House prices could fall another 40% from here.
The argument is both compelling and an old-chestnut. It's about affordability.
Today, the ratio, based on an assumed average household income of £31,200 and an average HBOS house price of £160,869 is still a very high 5.16 times. To give you an idea of just how high that is, it's still above the 1989 peak ratio of 5.02 times.
Remember, though, that homeownership is a relatively recent trend... comparatively rare until the post-war period. There's no reason to assume our current view of affordability - taken by averaging this limited data - will prove to be the long-term one. It's a good read, though, and recommended.
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