July 31, 2007

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Property prices in the UK are second most overvalued

Permalink: Property prices in the UK are second most overvalued
by Elaine Frei

According to the ratings agency, Fitch, property prices in the UK are the second most overvalued, coming second only to France. The study uses a mix of how overvalued house prices and the exposure of households to increasing ...

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68% say parking is a priority

Permalink: 68% say parking is a priority
by Kay Murchie

According Halifax Estate Agents, 68% of Britons are prepared to spend more on a home that came with a driveway or a parking space. The report shows that people are willing to pay nearly £5,000 for such a feature - with 11% ...

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Landlords optimistic about buy-to-let market

Permalink: Landlords optimistic about buy-to-let market
by Gill Montia

The specialist buy-to-let mortgage broker, The Money Centre, have highlighted that in spite of increases in the interest rates, landlords are still confident about their investments in the buy-to-let market. According to research, 73% of landlords see their overall prospects as good and ...

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Hints of a slowdown in the UK property market

Permalink: Hints of a slowdown in the UK property market
by Elaine Frei

According to a report from Hometrack, the independent property research company, house price growth for July was just 0.1%, in line with recent predictions of a slowdown in the UK property market. The slowdown has been driven by an ...

July 30, 2007

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Beware the off-season when investing overseas

Permalink: Beware the off-season when investing overseas
by Kay Murchie

According to the international property portal, propertyshowrooms.com, those investing in property overseas should be aware of the transport issues at certain times of the year. A spokesperson commented that while certain destinations in Europe may seem appealing, one of the difficulties ...

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A Greek haven for under £30,000

Permalink: A Greek haven for under £30,000
by Kay Murchie

On the Greek island of Crete, the houses are small, rustic but cheap. According to Property on Crete, the estate agents, they have 250 properties on their books but most need renovation. An 11-room stone house in Stavromenos (East Crete) ...

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10% of graduates believe they will never get onto the property ladder

Permalink: 10% of graduates believe they will never get onto the property ladder
by Elaine Frei

Increasing property prices, together with student debts are pushing property ownership out of the reach for many and according to Scottish Widows and one in ten graduates believe they will never be able to buy ...

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Investors warned over Olympic returns

Permalink: Investors warned over Olympic returns
by Gill Montia

According to Hometrack, the independent property research company, those looking for good short-term profits on their property investment should avoid East London in spite of the 2012 Olympics being held there. An initial sudden rush in demand due to the expected economic regeneration ...

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Beware of sale-and-rent back companies

Permalink: Beware of sale-and-rent back companies
by Gill Montia

An increasing number of sale-and-rent back firms are targeting homeowners who are struggling to meet the cost of living in their homes. These companies offer to buy homes at below the market value and rent them back to the former owners. ...

July 27, 2007

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Equity release can bring forward inheritance

Permalink: Equity release can bring forward inheritance
by Gill Montia

Equity release gives people access to the value they have built up in their home for their own use and is a choice for many looking to maintain or create a better lifestyle or to meet an unexpected financial need. According to ...

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Loft conversions add value

Permalink: Loft conversions add value
by Kay Murchie

Increasing property prices and stamp duty are making life hard for those who want to move to a larger home. A study by GE Money Home Lending has established that loft conversions can add value to your home – anything from £22,000 to ...

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Joint mortgages – ensure all aspects covered

Permalink: Joint mortgages – ensure all aspects covered
by Kay Murchie

More and more people are clubbing together to buy their own home. A joint mortgage enables them to get out of the rental trap and invest in their future. In many cases, sharing costs through joint ownership can sometimes work ...

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Apartments in Budapest for less than £40,000

Permalink: Apartments in Budapest for less than £40,000
by Kay Murchie

Hungary’s capital, Budapest, is in the midst of its big post-war renovation and, as a result, is offering unique opportunities for overseas investors. A spokesperson for Dream Homes WorldWide, the overseas property investment consultants, have remarked that the new ...

July 26, 2007

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Chester to receive a boost

Permalink: Chester to receive a boost
by Gill Montia

Chester appeals to many buyers for its closeness to major cities such as Liverpool and Manchester, the University of Chester also attracts thousands of students to its main campus in the town and another in Warrington nearby. Chester has always been a favourable ...

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Mortgage lenders benefiting from the housing boom

Permalink: Mortgage lenders benefiting from the housing boom
by Elaine Frei

According to Fool.co.uk, the independent finance website, millions of homeowners have been taken advantage of by British mortgage lenders since the start of the century. Their research suggests that the Halifax, UK’s largest lender, has benefited from previously low interest ...

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Growth in country house prices on the increase

Permalink: Growth in country house prices on the increase
by Kay Murchie

Estate agency Knight Frank has announced that the annual rate of price inflation for country houses is currently at 11.6%, compared with 8.9% in the mainstream market and therefore outperforming the housing market overall. It was recently revealed that ...

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Armadale development illustrates new build home problems

Permalink: Armadale development illustrates new build home problems
by Brian Turner

According to reports in the East Lothian Courier and Herald, buyers of Manorlane homes on the Armadale development have faced a catalogue of problems with their new build homes. Problems reported include holes in walls, missing radiators, leaking waste pipes, and ...

July 25, 2007

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Buy-to-let investors profiting in France

Permalink: Buy-to-let investors profiting in France
by Elaine Frei

Southern France is rising in popularity among holidaymakers and particularly investors according to Holiday Lettings and RightmoveOverseas. Property prices are rising in France and provided the investor purchases and furnishes a property with the demographic of the region’s visitors in mind, there ...

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Buyers have the upper hand

Permalink: Buyers have the upper hand
by Gill Montia

A recent study from The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors indicates a deteriorating UK property market resulting in buyers being able to negotiate house prices below the asking price for the first time in many months. This information is supported by reports ...

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Planning permission the answer to meet housing demand

Permalink: Planning permission the answer to meet housing demand
by Kay Murchie

A recent claim by The Campaign for Rural England (CPRE) said that most local authorities have sufficient land available to meet housing demand in the UK housing market over the next 10 years. However, it has been said that ...