A pedestrians looks at residential properties displayed for sale in the window of an estate agents' in Windsor, west of London. LONDON — Lower mortgage rates are sparking an uptick in the U.K. housing market, following a surge in the pace of home sales last month, data showed. Shares of U.K. homebuilders Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Developments both rose more than 2.1% following the data release. Some rates for such products have dipped to 3.7%, well below the BoE's 5% key rate. Mortgage approvals rose in August to the highest level in two years in years, the Bank of England said Monday.

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Persons: homebuilders Taylor Wimpey, Richard Donnell, Andrew Bailey Organizations: Barratt, Nationwide, Bank of England's, Bank of England, Bank Locations: Windsor, London, LONDON