MoneyExpert: Welsh Assembly Urged To Boost Mortgage Holder Numbers

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) is stating that affordable housing is imperative to the future health of the Welsh economy, following reports that the number of first-time buyers has fallen significantly.

Figures indicate that first-time buyer activity has recently fallen to the second lowest level since 1991, with only 4,300 first-time buyers having bought a home between July and September this year.

Speaking at the CML annual conference in Cardiff, CML Cymru chairman Mick McGuire raised the issue of housing affordability in Wales, citing it as a “key issue” for new buyers and suggesting that more be done on a policy level to resolve the problem.

“With fewer numbers of first-time buyers managing to get on the property ladder, the CML urges the Welsh Assembly government to look at innovative ways of helping those people who want to become homeowners to do so,” stated Mr McGuire.

“This could be done by encouraging low-cost home ownership or by expanding the HomeBuy scheme.”

Those looking for the best mortgage rate, including first-time buyers, are now searching a UK market with average house prices of over £200,000, according to the latest Land Registry figures.

MoneyExpert: Credit Card Debt ‘a Turn-off’

New reports indicate that credit card debt, overdrafts, and accounts in the red are a turn-off for prospective partners, with a large percentage of people more likely to get into a relationship with sensible savers.

According to a survey conducted by Yorkshire Building Society (YBS) a strong savings ethic is an attractive quality in long-term partners. Out of over 1,600 surveyed, 60 per cent of all women would rather be with a man with no debt.

Over 40 per cent agree it would be better to date a man with savings in the bank, while over 95 per cent would not want to be in a relationship with someone who was not financially sensible.

“It seems money really can buy you love as today’s singles search for a saving-smart superhero to settle down with,” comments YBS media relations manager Tanya Jackson, continuing to state that most women are drawn towards sensitive spenders rather than high rollers.

Credit card holders may soon have to shop around for the best rate after PricewaterhouseCoopers announced annual fees could be introduced to make up for industry deficits of £1 billion.