Should the term "property ladder" be banned?

Question

Should the term "property ladder" be banned? The term "property ladder" only exists in the UK and has only existed since the "property boom" in the last 2 decades. The term itself suggests that it was a good idea to buy and sell property and move on from a small investment to a bigger and bigger investment as you get older. The opposite might be the case as well..your house gets smaller and smaller and your debts higher and higher....

This term implies that property investment was a good idea in the long-term - which is not the case. Putting your money on a savings account is more secure, has a stable growth and you have no problems with maintenance costs, taxes and other related problem - and you definitely become richer this way. A property ladder might as well be your first foot in the grave - you will end up spending all your money on the interests of the bank and not have the flexibility anymore invest in other things - or to just move away. For the majority of people in the UK a mortgage and the illusion of a "property ladder" is a big danger and their lives would be a lot easier without a mortgage and the responsibilities.

Answer 1

I think you are over sensitive. The term you describe is perfectly valid and should be taken with a pinch of salt. Your view, I suspect, is affected by your own circumstances, i.e. you probably live in a council house. Nothing wrong with that of course, each to his own. It happens to be a irrefutable fact that long term house purchase is the soundest investment. Yes, there are pitfalls and fluctuations. There are Buy to Let merchants who have got their  fingers burned. But overall you can't go wrong with home ownership. A friend of mine bought his own council house and is currently paying less per month to the Building Society than he was paying in rent to the Council!  

Answer 2

Agreed. In the UK we are obsessed with property. We seem to have forgotten that they are things to live in and not investments. First time buyers are now suffering because of this obsession, and the media haven't been slow in pushing the band wagon.

We have driven property values up to ridiculous levels, which encouraged massive borrowing and the credit crunch.

Over valued property has become the Elephant in the room. Hardly any of the financial pundits, Government, Banks, property owners will admit it. This is what is driving them to demand lower interest rates, the very thing, initiated by Brown, that got us into this mess in the first place.

Yes, the term property ladder is ridiculous. A ladder has rungs. So it implies that you get on the first rung and then feel compelled to keep climbing.

EDIT. Builders are now squealing like stuffed pigs. They know as well as anyone, that building is a cyclical industry and that they have had ten years of a good time.

Lessons need to be learnt, a recession will be a good way of rubbing that in. Otherwise, more lending, more misery in future.

Answer 3

Yes it should be banned. I have lost so much I getting on the so-called property ladder. But what could you replace it with?

Snakes and Ladders, perhaps? Another term ought to brought into general use to remind people than there are people who are thinking of investing that there are pitfalls and well as positives.

Answer 4

No it shouldn't be banned.  It up to you to educate yourself on how to do it.

All investment have risk. Two people can make the same investment, one can succeed and one can fail.  In order to succeed at ANYTHING you have to understand what is going on.  

Real estate, like any other investment, can be bad if you can't control when you buy and sell.  In the stock market you can hold onto stock and sell it when you want, it doesn't matter if you  you job is moving you half way across the country.  Real estate has it disadvantages, it is subject to the market just like EVERY other investment, but a home serves two purposes, an investment and a place to live.  That is one of its biggest advantages.

Many tried to use it as a short term investment and get a big return, this type of investing has greater risks and also greater rewards.  Too many didn't educate themselves and bit off more than they could chew.   Those who are in it for the long hall will be safer.

Answer 5

The term Property Ladder is used in the US too. As another poster said - we have a tv show called "Property Ladder" about people who flip houses.  Of course, if you watch the show - people don't always make money. Sometimes they lose money.   So I don't take the term to guarantee success.

Besides - banning the term would not do any good. We could ban the term "fat" but I'm still going to need to lose a few. Getting rid of the word - does not change things.  

Answer 6

work out what rent was 20 years ago and what it is now,,then yu will see that property is always the best financial choice,,but only if yu are a smart dedicated person,,fools need not bother,

Answer 7

I've heard the term here in the US too.  In fact, there's a television series called "Property Ladder".  I really don't think the media deserves the blame and I certainly don't think censorship of the term would do anyone any good.  

You said,

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"For the majority of people in the UK a mortgage and the illusion of a "property ladder" is a big danger and their lives would be a lot easier without a mortgage and the responsibilities."

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   ...so who died and made you the King?

Answer 8

no i dont think it should i lik it

Answer 9

You make a very logical point but i think that ever since home ownership became the norm rather than renting, there has been a property ladder. As peoples incomes improve they will improve the home they live in as well. In the back of many peoples mind it is simply a case of putting money into bricks and mortar rather than in a sock under the bed so to speak. Then when they get to retirement age there are a few downsizing steps available to them releasing lump sums of equity.  property Ladder is just a convenient - and quite accurately descriptive - term.