February 16, 2009
According to the UK’s largest property website, Rightmove, estate agents are inundated with new buyer enquiries.
Rightmove said new buyer enquiries increased by a record 108% last month, compared with the same month a year ago.
Halifax’s latest house price survey revealed ...
Estate agents inundated with new buyer enquiries
Permalink: Estate agents inundated with new buyer enquiries
by Kay Mitchell
Insurer warns landlords over cannabis producing tenants
Permalink: Insurer warns landlords over cannabis producing tenants
by Gill Montia
Moody’s reports rise in buy-to-let mortgage arrears
Permalink: Moody’s reports rise in buy-to-let mortgage arrears
by Gill Montia
February 13, 2009
Braemore Property Management, the Edinburgh-based lettings agent, has reported that students due to study in the city are already seeking out accommodation for the 2009/10 academic year.
The search is on nine months before term begins and Braemore says it has seen an ...
Edinburgh students house hunt early
Permalink: Edinburgh students house hunt early
by Gill Montia
February 12, 2009
According to figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), a severe decline was experienced in mortgage lending activity for 2008.
The CML said 516,000 house purchase loans were made in 2008, compared with the 1,017,000 for the 2007 year - ...
2008 mortgage lending activity reaches 35-year low
Permalink: 2008 mortgage lending activity reaches 35-year low
by Kay Mitchell
February 11, 2009
Financial website, Fairinvestment.co.uk, has published research indicating that over 21% of UK mortgage holders could be at risk of negative equity because they have borrowed 90% or more of their property's value.
In a survey of 2,000 homeowners conducted for the ...
High LTVs for one fifth of homeowners
Permalink: High LTVs for one fifth of homeowners
by Gill Montia
February 10, 2009
The latest figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) show that despite increased interest from potential buyers, house sales continue to fall.
Falling house prices has meant that potential buyers are flooding estate agents with enquiries ...
Rics: Buyer interest rises but house sales continue to fall
Permalink: Rics: Buyer interest rises but house sales continue to fall
by Kay Mitchell
Rapid fall in commercial property demand
Permalink: Rapid fall in commercial property demand
by Lin Freestone
February 9, 2009
A study by the Centre for Policy Studies has claimed that Government measures aimed at saving homeowners from repossession will have ‘little effect‘.
A series of measures have been introduced by the Government including the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme, which ...
Think tank claims Government measures won’t help homeowners
Permalink: Think tank claims Government measures won’t help homeowners
by Kay Mitchell
February 8, 2009
Following last week's news that the Office of Fair Trading is investigating 16 sale-and-rent-back firms over complaints about their advertisements, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has announced that it is to regulate the sector, from July.
Concern over sale-and-rent-back operators has been growing since ...
FSA to regulate sale-and-rent-back
Permalink: FSA to regulate sale-and-rent-back
by Gill Montia
February 5, 2009
There is speculation that equity release schemes will become more commonplace. A report released by an equity release provider, Hodge Lifetime, indicates that the majority of IFAs surveyed are anticipating a 5% increase in consumer interest.
According to Hodge Lifetime, in ...
Demand for equity release expected to rise
Permalink: Demand for equity release expected to rise
by Lin Freestone
Halifax reports surprise rise in house prices
Permalink: Halifax reports surprise rise in house prices
by Kay Mitchell
February 3, 2009
The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has warned that unless the Government intervenes to boost mortgage lending, property prices could fall a further 25% this year.
This would mean a peak-to-trough fall of around 40% ...
House prices to fall further 25% this year without lending boost
Permalink: House prices to fall further 25% this year without lending boost
by Kay Mitchell
Dubai draws up new laws to protect property investors
Permalink: Dubai draws up new laws to protect property investors
by Gill Montia
Concerns that home repossessions could rise rapidly in 2009
Permalink: Concerns that home repossessions could rise rapidly in 2009
by Lin Freestone
February 2, 2009
Buy-to-let lender, Paragon, is pointing out that landlords are finally benefiting from cuts in the Bank of England's base rate.
During 2008, landlords were typically faced with high interest rates and refinancing difficulties.
According to Paragon, mortgage arrears doubled in the three ...
Base rate cuts improve landlords’ margins
Permalink: Base rate cuts improve landlords’ margins
by Gill Montia
February 1, 2009
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is investigating the practices of 16 sale-and-rent-back firms.
Complaints centre on the companies' advertisements and the OFT is demanding that advertising claims must be substantiated within 14 days, following which further action may be taken.
Apparently, some sale-and-rent-back ...
OFT investigates sixteen sale-and-rent-back firms
Permalink: OFT investigates sixteen sale-and-rent-back firms
by Gill Montia