Does anyone think now is a good time to buy UK property?

Because I need somewhere to live and I am sick of watching my landlord get fat.

Renegotiate your rent. You'd be surprised.

Do I end up keeping the house?

Er, you may not want it if it is worth less than the mortgage.

Remember mortgage interest is dead money too, and that's the vast majority of any new mortgage. Often taking this into consideration makes a big difference to the perception of throwing money down the drain, especially when prices are this high.

It's also often possible to live in a better area, and/or property quality when renting than you can afford when buying. All things to be weighed up when contemplating buying.

I was lucky in 95 because I was paying a fortune in rent to live in a dump which my landlord treated like his own home when it suited him. My flat's mortgage was 2/3's the cost of rent and no worse to live in. Mind you, there have been times since when I'd have paid twice as much to be rid of the neighbours in the rented flat over my head. But such is life. Swings & roundabouts.

Andrew McP