The UBS Swiss Real Estate Bubble Index rose significantly in the second quarter of 2015 and now stands at 1.37 index points. Home prices and mortgages for private households went up disproportionately considering the weak economy. Furthermore, the housing market is still caught up in the investment property boom.

Zurich/Basel, 04 August 2015 - The UBS Swiss Real Estate Bubble Index stood at 1.37 points in the second quarter of 2015. That means the index rose a significant 0.10 points within the risk zone compared to the previous quarter - the biggest increase since the fourth quarter of 2012. The mortgage volume of private households expanded around 3.5% year-on-year, while home prices showed a nominal increase of nearly 2%. While these growth rates appear rather moderate in a historical comparison, they are comparatively high given the shrinking economic output and the significant decline in consumer prices. The general flattening of debt and price momentum, which had started in the beginning of 2014, also stopped in the past half year.

The buy-to-rent ratio once again went up slightly in the previous quarter as rents continued to level off while condominium prices went up. Remarkably, the rents for new buildings dropped 3% year-on-year. While lower rents push down returns on real estate investments, the overheating market for investment properties has spilled over into the home market given the scarcity of investment and the negative interest rate environment. Loan applications for non-owner-occupied condominiums remained near their all-time-high in the second quarter of 2015.

The index increase confirms that we are far from giving an all-clear signal for the housing market. Not only do low mortgage rates continue to fuel high demand for owner-occupied homes, but investor demand for real estate has also gained considerable weight in the home market. However, housing prices are expected to resume trending downward in line with the business cycle in the second half of 2015.

The risk map has changed to reflect the increase in the real estate bubble index. The Lucerne region has joined the ranks of exposed regions due to increased imbalances. Lucerne currently shows the strongest price growth rates of all the exposed regions except Innerschwyz. Appenzell Innerrhoden - where prices have risen nearly 70% in the last 10 years - has now joined the monitored regions.

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