December 13, 2007

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Rics survey endorses fall in house prices

Permalink: Rics survey endorses fall in house prices
by Lin Freestone

The latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors shows that house prices in the UK have fallen for the fourth month in a row. Price falls accelerated in November 2008, with 41% of Rics’ members reporting ...

December 12, 2007

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Investment opportunties remain in French towns and villages

Permalink: Investment opportunties remain in French towns and villages
by Gill Montia

Leggett Immobilier is convinced that the French housing market will continue to offer investment opportunities for the dedicated buyer throughout 2008. The French estate agent recommends a property search focused on the centre of French towns and villages, where ...

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Spain tops happiness poll amongst ex-pats

Permalink: Spain tops happiness poll amongst ex-pats
by Gill Montia

UKForex, the online foreign exchange provider, has published the results of a survey that shows almost 80% of adults who have emigrated from the UK are happy with their new life overseas. This compares with 51.8% of respondents who were satisfied with ...

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Halifax calls for government to act over empty homes

Permalink: Halifax calls for government to act over empty homes
by Lin Freestone

Following the recent Empty Homes National Week of Action, which took place earlier in December, Halifax has drawn attention to the high number of houses that have remained vacant for more than six months. Research ...

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Family homes will still be in demand in 2008

Permalink: Family homes will still be in demand in 2008
by Lin Freestone

Despite the fact that the UK property market is expected to slow down in 2008, family homes in good locations will continue to attract high levels of demand. This statement is from Allied Surveyors, who predict price ...

December 11, 2007

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University towns top buy-to-let investment league

Permalink: University towns top buy-to-let investment league
by Gill Montia

Savills, the estate agent, is encouraging buy-to-let investors to do their homework and has published a report that shows the benefits of owning properties in the UK's university towns. While the buy-to-let sector has recently experienced an unprecedented boom there are concerns ...

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Buy-to-let lending remains buoyant

Permalink: Buy-to-let lending remains buoyant
by Gill Montia

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has published October data on mortgage lending that reflects the impact of both higher interest rates and rising house prices. During the month the number of new mortgages approved for house purchases made up only 39% of ...

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Mortgages most expensive for 16 years

Permalink: Mortgages most expensive for 16 years
by Lin Freestone

The Council of Mortgage Lenders has issued figures today that reveal the cost of mortgages is at its most expensive for 16 years. The largest proportion of earnings since 1992 is being paid by homeowners on mortgage interest. Higher ...

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Innovative investment fund from Strutt & Parker

Permalink: Innovative investment fund from Strutt & Parker
by Lin Freestone

A complex investment fund will be launched in mid-January 2008 in the UK, that will aim to benefit from falling house prices by using derivates. It is being set up by the financial arm of real estate agents ...

December 10, 2007

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Homeowners encouraged to consider income protection

Permalink: Homeowners encouraged to consider income protection
by Lin Freestone

LifeSearch, a mortgage protection specialist, has listed its five top tips for homeowners. By following these guidelines, consumers will be able to protect their mortgages against all contingencies, and give themselves peace of mind. LifeSearch finds that many people consider ...

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London’s market growth to fall in line in 2008

Permalink: London’s market growth to fall in line in 2008
by Lin Freestone

Property consultancy Knight Frank has predicted that growth in property prices in London will soon match the rest of the market. The firm reports that prime London will see growth in line with the UK mainstream ...

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Leading lenders cut lending rates

Permalink: Leading lenders cut lending rates
by Lin Freestone

Halifax and Nationwide have both reduced their standard rates after the Bank of England cut the base rate from 5.75% to 5.5% last week. Halifax passed on the full cut to borrowers, reducing its standard variable rate from 7.75% to ...

December 7, 2007

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The future of buy-to-let investment

Permalink: The future of buy-to-let investment
by Brian Turner

Today's opinion piece comes from Neil Young, CEO of Young Group Property Portfolio Managers: This week's fall in interest rates has been widely predicted due to the disparity between base rate and LIBOR, which has impacted business costs and consumer loans/mortgages. ...

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London will buck the trend in 2008

Permalink: London will buck the trend in 2008
by Kay Murchie

According to Savills estate agents, the prime central London property market will weather the property storm predicted next year. Property price falls are expected across much of the country next year but Savills are predicting growth in the prime central ...

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NAEA and CML welcome interest rate reduction

Permalink: NAEA and CML welcome interest rate reduction
by Kay Murchie

The Bank of England bowed to immense pressure to cut interest rates yesterday from 5.75% to 5.5%, a move which has been welcomed by many homeowners. Furthermore, the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and the Council of Mortgage Lenders ...

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Borrowers will benefit from rate cuts

Permalink: Borrowers will benefit from rate cuts
by Kay Murchie

The Bank of England cut interest rates yesterday from 5.75% to 5.5% which is good news for borrowers. Customers of Nationwide and Halifax are to benefit further as both mortgage giants have announced that they will implement the whole cut immediately. ...

December 6, 2007

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Interest rates cut to 5.5%

Permalink: Interest rates cut to 5.5%
by Kay Murchie

Interest rates have today been trimmed from 5.75% to 5.5%, which will no doubt be a relief to homeowners on variable rate mortgages but will mean lower rates for savers. The cut is the first since August 2005. The quarter-point cut will ...

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Finding cracks in a new build home

Permalink: Finding cracks in a new build home
by Brian Turner

I hadn't noticed until a joiner - brought in to finish our new shed - pointed it out. Cracks in the mortar around the top of a window of our Grantown-design Barratts property. Further examination showed cracking of some kind around ...

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Launch date for Home Information Packs is imminent

Permalink: Launch date for Home Information Packs is imminent
by Kay Murchie

Home Information Packs (Hips) are to be extended to include all properties from next week so selling your is going to get far more complicated. Hips were launched on August 1 to include properties with 4-bedrooms or more and ...

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Lack of housing is a worry for the British public

Permalink: Lack of housing is a worry for the British public
by Kay Murchie

According to the New Homes Marketing Board (NHMB), the housing shortage in the UK is becoming an increasing concern for the majority of the British public. 80% said the lack of housing needs to be addressed. David Pretty ...