我是 LongbridgeAI，我可以總結文章信息。英國的房價在四月份意外上漲，年增長率達到 3%，高於三月份的 2.2%，儘管由於伊朗戰爭對抵押貸款利率的擔憂。現在的平均房價為 278,880 英鎊。全國建築協會的首席經濟學家指出，家庭財務狀況依然強勁，促進了這種韌性。然而，消費者信心已降至兩年來的最低點，儘管英格蘭銀行維持利率不變，但未來可能需要加息。專家警告稱，經濟增長可能會減弱，影響未來的房價增長預測
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House prices made a surprise jump in April, as the “remarkable resilience” of the UK’s housing market trumped the hit to consumer confidence caused by the Iran war.
Annual house price growth in the UK climbed to three per cent last month, up from 2.2 per cent in March.
National house prices grew by 0.4 per cent month-on-month, according to Nationwide’s house price index, putting the average UK house price at £278,880.
Leading figures in the property market had been warning expectations that the Iran war will keep interest rates higher for longer would cause Brits to hold off on house purchases until rosier mortgage conditions arrived.
But Friday’s house price figures suggest the housing market is regaining momentum after a slow winter period, in which the property market stuttered in its recovery from months of pre-Budget speculation.
House prices grow despite falling confidence
Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist, said Britain’s housing market has managed to gain momentum despite fears of high mortgage rates, buoyed by the “relative strength” of household finances.
This comes despite consumer confidence falling to its lowest level in more than two years, marking the third consecutive monthly drop.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors reported a sharp fall in new buyer enquiries in March, suggesting Brits are preparing to wait out the economic chaos caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
But Gardner said Brits are not yet seeing a squeeze on their finances comparable to recent cost of living crunches, with household debt at its lowest level relative to income for around two decades.
“Moreover, housing affordability had been improving steadily in recent years due to a combination of income growth outpacing house price growth by a wide margin and a modest decline in mortgage rates,” he said.
Mortgage rates could rise
Jason Tebb, president of property portal Onthemarket, said: “Despite the challenging economic backdrop, the housing market continues to demonstrate the resilience it has become known for.
“The Bank of England’s decision to hold interest rates for another month should also have a steadying effect on momentum in the market, suggesting stability and no need to panic.”
On Thursday, the Monetary Policy Committee opted to hold interest rates, but signalled that hikes could be on the horizon.
But Gardner warned this recovery could stall: “Looking ahead, UK economic growth is likely to be somewhat weaker and inflation higher than previously expected as a result of developments in the Middle East.”
Earlier this month, property experts Knight Frank and banking giant Barclays both slashed their forecasts for this year’s house price growth.