Released on = June 12, 2007, 3:29 am

Press Release Author = Charlotte Burrows

Industry = Real Estate

Press Release Summary = The Bank of England\'s monetary policy committee (MPC) will
choose to keep interest rates on hold in tomorrow\'s meeting, it has been suggested -
but only in order to regroup before raising rates again in the future.

Press Release Body = While the housing market has cooled and retailers are reporting
mixed figures, Nationwide\'s consumer confidence barometer has revealed that optimism
is at an 18-month high.

Nationwide\'s chief economist Fionnuala Earley, assessing the situation following the
publication of the barometer\'s results, believes that the bank could choose to keep
rates on hold before re-assessing the situation come July.

\"The good weather in early May might have helped put consumers in a brighter mood
but, people\'s spending intentions responded sharply to the latest interest rate
announcement; this may offer some comfort to the MPC,\" she said.

It is predicted that the MPC\'s July decision will be based largely on the latest
inflation report, which is due to be published on June 12th.

Should this assessment of the economic climate show inflation to be hovering near
the three per cent mark, it is likely that the bank will up rates - and some
analysts have predicted they could go as high as six to seven per cent.

Julian King, director of the UK\'s leading property purchase firm National Homebuyers
says, \"It\'s a sign of things to come that the European Central Bank raised its
interest rates to their highest level since August 2001.

\"We can be sure of rises above 6 per cent and I would suggest that there will be
significant further rises within 12 months.

\"The knock-on effect of these rises seems to be alluding most people. Repossessions
are at an all time high with the buy-to-let mortgage accounting for 50 per cent of
these order.

\"Although the leaves are on the tress and there are properties on the market, the
buyers are not there because of the ludicrous amount they have to borrow in order to
purchase.\"

Homeowners looking for a fast sale solution to selling their property would consider
National Homebuyers options of \'fast sale\' or \'sell and rent back\'. The Sussex-based
company purchases properties for cash at a timescale that suits the vendor.
Additionally they offer a \'Sell and Rent Back\' solution allowing homeowners to
release equity in their home without the need for moving. They can be contacted at
www.nationalhomebuyers.co.uk/index.asp.

Web Site = http://www.nationalhomebuyers.co.uk

Contact Details = Sterling House
20 Victoria Way
Burgess Hill
West Sussex
RH15 9NF
0870 979 8118
Fax: 01444 257333
info@nationalhomebuyers.co.uk