The Intermediary – September 2025 - Flipbook - Page 98
L O C A L FO C U S
Oxford
Steady enquiries
MARCUS GUNN
director at Carbon Oxford
xford is a robust market and always seems in demand from my
experience. It’s important to note that we are in a very price
sensitive market, though, so properties that are not priced
sensibly are in danger of sitting on market with little or no
interest for an extended period. Vendors oen need to consider price or
patience. e seasonal summer months can oen be sluggish for
residential purchase mortgages, with clients away. I am pleased to say
we have had a busier than usual level of purchase enquiries. We also
have a constant flow of previous clients looking to remortgage and
capitalise on more attractive lender pricing.
We deal with predominantly three main lender brackets: high street
lenders, investment banks and more locally focused institutions like
Handelsbanken. Handelsbanken, for example, can be very helpful with
quirky properties and complex income in Oxford. Clydesdale and Virgin
can be used for limited company directors based anywhere, and
investment banks such Investec and Coutts are useful for high-networth clientele. e challenge for an adviser is to keep up to date on a
vast array of lending products and criteria which is constantly changing.
Buy-to-let is a mixed picture. Mortgage pricing is much better than it
was two years ago, but this market is under threat of constant tenancy
regulatory changes and fear of increased taxation. Accidental landlord
enquiries have increased this year from owners also looking to break
chains to maximise their position and perhaps hold onto a property for
two to five years before selling. In a slower sales market this can oen
be a tool for many owners to secure their dream home, with of course
some consideration, cost and compromise to be factored in.
O
Increased demand
MANDY BEST
director at Best Financial Planning
he Oxford housing market has remained consistent, with above
average prices compared to the rest of country; however, we
have seen delays in purchase case completions. First-time and
subsequent movers are buying further afield in Oxfordshire, but
with limited supply under £500,000 the market is very competitive, and
several deals have seen chains collapsing and then restarting again,
delaying the process even further. Properties over £800,000 up to £1.5m
have stagnated, and we have seen sellers accept a lower offer in the last
year on a couple of deals. Residential mortgages remain strong, and with
a strong client bank we remain busy with product transfer reviews,
remortgages and further borrowing cases.
We have seen increased demand for affordable housing in line with
Oxford City Council’s planning for the future for affordable and social
housing. However, this trend is yet to be matched with competitive
lenders’ criteria and rates, coupled with the high rental cost for the
Shared Ownership, stress-testing on affordability remains challenging.
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The Intermediary | September 2025
professionals, foreign nationals,
families seeking good schools, and
retirees downsizing or releasing
equity.” He has also seen “an uptick
in younger professionals needing
guidance to navigate higher deposit
requirements.”
Auld’s clients also “range from firsttime buyers employed in service roles
to company CEOs, portfolio landlords
and some prominent members of the
entertainment industry.”
Popular lenders
In Oxford, brokers agree that a
blend of high street staples, regional
building societies, and specialist banks
define the market. Best says: “With the
value of properties and demographic
of our average client, specifically
in South Oxford, the key lenders
typically are either Halifax, Virgin
Money, Coventry Building Society,
or Santander.”
Yet the diversity of Oxford’s
borrowers means a broader panel is
oen essential. Meehan’s firm works
with a broad range of lenders, “from
high street names [...] to regional
specialists.” He adds that specialist
lenders are “key for more complex
cases, ensuring we can cater to a
wide range of client needs.” Gunn
deals “predominantly [with] three
main lender brackets: high street
lenders, investment banks and more
locally focused institutions.” He says:
“Handelsbanken, for example, can be
very helpful with quirky properties
and complex income in Oxford.
Clydesdale and Virgin can be used
for limited company directors based
anywhere, and investment banks such
Investec, Cous are useful for highnet-worth clientele.”
Auld adds: “Handelsbanken has
been an important lender for me this
year due to their ability to take a view
on properties which other lenders
would not lend on. In Oxford there are
some unique houses which may not
be suitable for a high street bank so
having a lender with local knowledge
and flexibility is invaluable.”
Rental landscape
Unsurprisingly, Oxford’s rental sector
continues to play an outsized role in
the local housing landscape. Private
rental stock accounts for 24.9% of the
area’s housing, above the national
average of 23.6%. Yet for landlords, the
picture is far from straightforward.
