News and Updates
EPCs - ten years on
Posted on Saturday, September 16, 2017
The 1st August 2017 saw the tenth anniversary of the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) as part of the requirements on a property owner looking to sell or let a property.
Bank of Mum and Dad UK’s most relaxed lender
Posted on Saturday, September 16, 2017
The Bank of Mum and Dad is potentially the UK’s most lenient lender and its relaxed approach means it ends up writing off huge numbers of loans each year, according to research from Prudential.
New home building blocked by lack of land
Posted on Saturday, September 16, 2017
Research by the Federation of Master Builders’ has identified that a lack of available small sites and a lack of finance top the list of barriers to SME house builders increasing their delivery of new homes.
Outlook for first time buyers looking more optimistic
Posted on Saturday, September 16, 2017
New data and analysis covering Q3 2017 by specialist bank, Aldermore, has revealed that the outlook for first time buyers is slowly becoming more optimistic.
More first time buyers helped by grandparents than parents
Posted on Saturday, September 16, 2017
New research by equity release referral service, Key Partnerships, has revealed that 34% of estate agents have seen a rise in first-time buyers being helped by grandparents compared with 26% who report an increase in parents helping out children.
Buying a home with a partner no longer seen as a long term commitment
Posted on Saturday, September 16, 2017
According to a new report from L&C Mortgages, despite 5.1 million UK adults delaying starting a family or getting hitched in order to buy a home, fewer than 8% see owning a property with a partner as a greater example of a long term commitment.
Almost four million over-55s plan to downsize
Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2017
Almost four million over-55s plan to downsize to a cheaper property later in life, research from Prudential has revealed.
Which feature adds the most value to bathrooms?
Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2017
Showerstoyou consulted 32 different estate agents, property professionals and designers from around the UK to find out how homeowners can maximise the value of their property when renovating their bathroom or adding a new one.
How to live off-grid and become self-sufficient
Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2017
In the modern age, sometimes it feels as though it would be impossible to leave everything behind and live a more self-fulfilling, and self-sufficient, lifestyle.
Halifax: Annual house price growth climbs to 2.6%
Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2017
According to the latest data and analysis from Halifax, house prices in the three months to August were 2.6% higher than in the same three months a year earlier.
Could multi-generation homes be the answer to future property plans?
Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2017
Young people living with two or three generations under one roof are better prepared for the responsibilities of owning a home, a new study constructed by new-homebuilder, Strata has revealed.
English housing starts reach highest level since 2008
Posted on Friday, September 1, 2017
Housing starts in England have reached their highest level since 2008, according to the latest government figures.
One in four move house to secure school catchment areas
Posted on Friday, September 1, 2017
24% of parents with school age children have either bought or rented a new property in order to secure an address within their desired school catchment area, according to research from Santander Mortgages.
Basements are in, conservatories are out – Britain’s tastes are changing
Posted on Friday, September 1, 2017
Research from Halifax Insurance, Dream Abode, shows that just one in five Brits (22%) lives in their dream home, and higher value ownership doesn’t always bring home happiness - almost two thirds (62%) of those who live in homes worth more than £500,000 say their current house isn’t their dream home.
Being a second stepper is harder than being a first time buyer
Posted on Friday, September 1, 2017
Homeowners ready to take their second step up the property ladder say it’s harder than getting on it in the first place according to the latest Lloyds Bank Second Steppers report, which tracks the ongoing plight of home owners looking to sell their first property whilst buying their second.
Cost of running a home almost half of average income
Posted on Friday, September 1, 2017
A study by home insurers MORE TH>N has found that owning a three-bedroom home in the UK comes with average annual running costs of £18,197, or £1,516 per month.
Bank of Mum and Dad funding £2.3bn of rental payments
Posted on Friday, September 1, 2017
The Bank of Mum and Dad will fund £2.3 billion of rental payments in 2017, paying out on average £415 every time a rental payment is made, according to new research from Legal & General and Cebr.
Market Update
Posted on Friday, August 25, 2017
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the current market
ARLA Propertymark: Rents and demand remain high in July
Posted on Friday, August 25, 2017
The number of letting agents who saw rents rise for tenants remained at 31 per cent in July, up from 27 per cent in May, according to the latest figures from the Association of Residential Letting Agents.
First time buyers given boost by equity release
Posted on Monday, August 21, 2017
New research from Retirement Advantage has revealed that during the first half of 2017, 13 first-time buyers were helped onto the housing ladder every week thanks to relatives who released equity from their homes.
Building societies maintain high share of mortgage market
Posted on Monday, August 21, 2017
The latest data from the Building Societies' Association has revealed that developments in the wider economy are making it more challenging for homebuyers and savers.
Can energy saving improvements increase the value of your home?
Posted on Monday, August 21, 2017
A new report published by leading global real estate advisors CBRE Residential reveals the true environmental impact of residential property, suggests how to create truly eco-friendly homes and considers the long-term premiums attached.
Mortgage arrears and possessions decline in Q2 2017
Posted on Monday, August 21, 2017
The number of mortgages in arrears of 2.5% or more has reached its lowest level since 1994 at 88,200.
Compromise key when you are a first time buyer
Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2017
Post Office Money surveyed more than 1000 people who made their property ownership goals a reality in the last 24 months and found that compromise was the key to realising their dreams.
Homelet: Confidence among landlords see rents rise in July
Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2017
The latest report from Homelet has revealed that rental price inflation has returned in the UK, rising by 1.1%.
UK household wealth now over £10 trillion
Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2017
Research from Lloyds has revealed that during 2016, total household wealth in the UK reached an estimated £10.5 trillion. This is an increase of £892 billion (or 9%) from £9.6 trillion in 2015.
UK leads the way for digital house hunting
Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2017
A study from HSBC has found the UK is leading the way in online property research as 93% of prospective home buyers revealed they use online channels to enhance property search.
Multigenerational living increasing
Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2017
Analysis from lifetime mortgage provider, OneFamily, using data from a survey of over 2,000 parents and grandparents across the UK, has revealed that 35% of the adult children who contribute to household bills pay a share based on what they earn.
New home registrations remain stable in quarter two
Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2017
Statistics from NHBC have revealed that during Q2, 40,000 new homes were registered to be built by developers due to a rise in the affordable homes sector.
Landlords adapt to new market as sentiments shift
Posted on Friday, August 4, 2017
The Buy to Let Britain report from Kent Reliance shows the 'shifting sentiment' in the market in response to the new tax landscape for landlords.
Internet access key for home movers
Posted on Friday, August 4, 2017
Over half (51%) of UK home movers find a weak internet connection stressful when moving, Money Supermarket data shows.
Hundreds of thousands to pay off mortgages with pension cash
Posted on Friday, August 4, 2017
Around 320,000 homeowners aged 51-65 are planning to use money from their pensions to pay off their mortgages, according to new research from retirement income provider Just Group.
Buy-to-let rates plateau but products soar ahead of Prudential Regulation Authority changes
Posted on Friday, August 4, 2017
The average two-year fixed BTL rate has fallen by 0.31% in 12 months but by just 1 basis point in 2017, from 2.92% in January to 2.91% in July, research from Moneyfacts shows.
Small builders forced to pass price squeezes onto consumers
Posted on Friday, August 4, 2017
A third of small building firms say that soaring material prices are squeezing their margins and almost a quarter have had to pass these price increases onto consumers, according to the latest research by the Federation of Master Builders.
Homebuyers pay average of £12,700 in stamp duty over lifetime
Posted on Friday, August 4, 2017
Homeowners spend an average £12,693 in total on stamp duty as they move up the housing ladder, according to research from Lloyds Bank.
Market Update
Posted on Friday, July 28, 2017
Chris Harper and Darren Murphy give their views on the current property market
House sales see summer increase
Posted on Friday, July 28, 2017
New data and analysis from NAEA Propertymark has shown that sales for homes are up as buyers push through summer property transactions.
UK Finance: Gross mortgage lending up 9% in June
Posted on Friday, July 28, 2017
UK Finance has estimated that gross mortgage lending reached £22.1bn in June, 9 per cent above the total for May.
First time buyers getting older but appetite to buy remains strong
Posted on Friday, July 28, 2017
The average first-time buyer is getting older and richer, but the appetite for home ownership remains undimmed, according to the UK Finance mortgage board.
Rise in homebuyers choosing to live with friends over partners
Posted on Monday, July 17, 2017
According to a new survey conducted by online furniture retailer Furniture Choice, the homeownership market in the UK is evolving, with more tenants choosing to buy and live in homes with friends rather than with a partner or on their own.
NAEA Propertymark: Top tips to help you sell your house this summer
Posted on Monday, July 17, 2017
The summer can be a tricky time to sell a property, especially if it’s a family one, due to school holidays amongst other things, so NAEA Propertymark offers this advice for sellers putting their property on the market during this time.
Retirees cash in £6.9m of equity per day
Posted on Monday, July 17, 2017
A Key Retirement report has revealed that, during the first half of 2017, retired homeowners released £1.25bn in equity from their properties at the rate of £6.9m per day.
How the over 50s are 'future proofing' their homes
Posted on Monday, July 17, 2017
Recent analysis by the Saga Equity Release Advice Service has shown that, over the last year, there has been a 30% surge in equity release sales - revealing how older people are becoming increasingly comfortable with using the equity they have built up in their homes to improve their lifestyle and those of their families.
Limited companies surpass landlord borrowing for the first time
Posted on Monday, July 10, 2017
New data from Mortgages for Business has revealed that buy to let lending to limited companies hit a record 51% by volume during Q2 surpassing individual landlords for the first time.
Japanese Knotweed: let’s be solution not problem conscious
Posted on Monday, July 10, 2017
New research has revealed a high level of anxiety around Japanese knotweed with 78% admitting that they would be put off buying a property if they discovered the weed was present in the garden.
Smart technologies making traditional home contents obsolete
Posted on Monday, July 10, 2017
Research by E.ON has found that 73% of people have adopted smarter technologies in their homes, ditching traditional furnishings and items such as bookshelves in favour of smart hubs and solar panels.
New housing gets a £2.3bn investment boost
Posted on Monday, July 10, 2017
A £2.3 billion fund which could unlock 100,000 new homes in areas of high demand has been launched by the Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid.
Market Update
Posted on Friday, June 30, 2017
Chris Harper and Darren Murphy give their views on the current property market
House prices rebound in June
Posted on Friday, June 30, 2017
The latest data and analysis from Nationwide has revealed that UK house prices rose 1.1% month-on-month in June, reversing the previous three months’ falls.
32% of second steppers rely on bank of Mum and Dad
Posted on Friday, June 30, 2017
The latest data from Lloyds has revealed that nearly a third (32%) of second steppers believe they will still rely on financial help from family and friends to move up the property ladder despite improved conditions for homeowners.
Pensioner property wealth hits £1.054 trillion
Posted on Friday, June 30, 2017
A new report from over-55s financial specialist, Key Retirement, has shown that in the past year retired homeowners have each earned more than £2,400 a month from their houses and have a combined property wealth of £1.054 trillion.
Top ten home improvements of 2017?
Posted on Monday, June 26, 2017
A new study from GoCompare Home Insurance has revealed that a new bathroom is the UK’s most popular home renovation with 39% of homeowners who carried out a major home improvement in the last five years splashing out on one
Top tips on how to keep your home cool this summer
Posted on Monday, June 26, 2017
It’s safe to say that as much as we in Britain look forward to a bit of sunshine. Whenever they arrive we suddenly find ourselves struggling to keep cool; even in our own homes we can feel as though we’re walking around in a sauna.
Help to Buy numbers reach 285,000
Posted on Monday, June 26, 2017
New statistics from DCLG have revealed that over 285,000 homeowners, including 240,000 first time buyers, have been supported by the government's Help to Buy schemes.
CML: Gross mortgage lending up 12% in May
Posted on Monday, June 26, 2017
The latest data and analysis from The Council of Mortgage Lenders has estimated that gross mortgage lending reached £20.1bn in May - a 12% increase on both April last month and on May last year, in which £17.9bn was advanced.
Majority of first time buyers fear negotiation
Posted on Monday, June 26, 2017
New research from Barclays has found that 52% of first time buyers have never negotiated and a further 53% admitted they fear missing out in the “extremely competitive” market if they were to negotiate.
Could the Bank of Mum and Dad help solve affordability issues?
Posted on Monday, June 26, 2017
New research from Legal & General has found that, with the potential to help 450,000 people onto the housing ladder every year, lifetime mortgages could be the best option for many.
Property transactions “resilient”
Posted on Monday, June 26, 2017
Property transactions rose almost 14% in the year to May, according to the latest figures from HMRC.
Average homeowner moves once every 19 years
Posted on Sunday, June 18, 2017
The average homeowner is moving once every 19 years, according to research from the Intermediary Lenders Association.
Bank of Mum and Dad risking IHT gift trap
Posted on Sunday, June 18, 2017
The latest research from Key Retirement has revealed that 47% of parents and grandparents do not understand the tax rules on gifting, and nearly three out of four (73%) say the rules are very complicated.
Alok Sharma appointed as new Housing Minister
Posted on Sunday, June 18, 2017
Alok Sharma, MP for Reading West, has been appointed as the new housing and planning minister.
17% switch from downsizing to equity release
Posted on Sunday, June 18, 2017
Research from Bower Retirement has found that 17% of would-be downsizers decided instead to release property wealth through equity release.
'Property Attachment’ theory
Posted on Sunday, June 18, 2017
Research from My Home Move covers the phenomenon of ‘Property Attachment’ and looks at why 43% of UK homeowners have experienced a sense of ‘sadness, grief or loss’ after moving house.
First-time buyer completion rate up to 67%
Posted on Monday, June 12, 2017
Two thirds (67%) of first-time buyer applications reached completion in the first quarter of 2017, Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA) research has revealed.
Housebuilding activity surges in May
Posted on Monday, June 12, 2017
UK housebuilding activity rebounded strongly in May after stuttering to a seven month low in March, the IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index has revealed.
Top plumbing tips when moving home
Posted on Monday, June 12, 2017
WaterSafe, the UK national accreditation body for approved plumbers, has created a quick and easy five-step guide for new home owners to check their plumbing is in tip top condition.
It's all in a name on new home developments
Posted on Monday, June 12, 2017
According to the latest research, it seems that ‘new build’ developers are drawing on nature and ‘country life’ for inspiration, as ‘Park’, ‘Green’ and ‘Gardens’ top the builders’ choice of titles for their new developments.
Most desirable features in a home
Posted on Monday, June 12, 2017
New research reveals that although the estate agents’ traditional refrain of ‘location, location, location’ still matters to a degree, it is not the only major factor potential homeowners look for.
DCLG: New build starts up 15%
Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2017
In the year to March, annual new build dwelling starts were up 15 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to statistics from the Department for Community and Local Government.
What is the ideal ratio of bathrooms to bedrooms?
Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2017
According to 70% of estate agents, a property should have two bathrooms for every three bedrooms to maximise its value and desirability.
1 in 3 new mortgages provided by building societies
Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2017
According to the latest report from the Building Societies Association (BSA), despite a 'relatively subdued market', building societies are maintaining a high market share of mortgage lending approving one in three new mortgages across the UK in Q1 2017, as well as providing a third of loans made to first time buyers.
Over 50% increase in apartment prices since 2009
Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Average price growth for apartments, helped by the London market, have outperformed all other property types since 2009
Market Update
Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Chris Harper and Darren Murphy give their pre-election views on the property market
Noise is the biggest turn off for home buyers
Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2017
New research from Plentific.com has revealed that homebuyers take noise pollution very seriously when it comes to buying their dream home.
The top 5 tenant “confessions”
Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2017
New research from Lloyds Bank Business Insurance Services suggests that many small-scale private landlords forget that insuring a rental property is a very different kind of risk to insuring their own home.
What makes a good landlord?
Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2017
New research by landlord insurer Direct Line for Business debunks the myth that landlords and tenants don’t see eye to eye.
What are the most sought after features of a modern UK home?
Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2017
New research from Gocompare.com has revealed the most sought after features of a modern home in the UK.
First time buyer numbers continue to grow
Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2017
According to the latest report from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), homebuyer numbers saw a marked increase on February figures as 61,700 loans were taken out during the month - a rise of 27% against February but down 12% on March 2016.
Top Tips for moving home with your pets
Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2017
David Wilson Homes East Midlands has teamed up with the RSPCA to provide pet owners with advice on making moving home as stress-free as possible for their animals.
Cash property purchases reach a new high
Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2017
Research from IMLA has found that a record amount of cash was injected into residential property purchases in 2016.
Number of mortgage products at highest level since 2008
Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2017
Analysis from Moneyfacts has revealed that residential mortgage product numbers have increased by 849 in the last year to reach its highest point since March 2008.
A quarter of all homeowners rely on friends and family to help purchase their home
Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2017
Analysis and research by Legal & General and the Centre for Economics & Business Research (Cebr) shows that, in 2016, home buyers will receive £5 billion of help from families' and friends – equivalent to the annual lending of a top-ten mortgage business.
Halifax: House price growth flat in three months to April
Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2017
UK house price rises were 3.8 per cent higher in the three months to April when compared to the same period last year, according to seasonally adjusted figures from Halifax.
Homeowners seek lower rates and longer deals
Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2017
Re-mortgaging homeowners are seeking out lower interest rates and longer fixed deals, according to conveyancing service provider LMS.
1 in 5 rely on the Bank of Mum and Dad for home improvements after purchase
Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2017
Research from home service provider, Pentific.com, has revealed that the Bank of Mum and Dad doesn't stop lending once the property has been purchased. One in five of us rely on the lender to finance our home improvements too.
Market Update
Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2017
Chris Harper and Darren Murphy give their views on the current property market
Rightmove: Buyer activity at highest level since 2007
Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2017
Increasingly stretched buyer affordability will continue to be a price moderator for sellers who are over-ambitious with their pricing, tempering the pace of price rises
Britain leaves behind £493m worth of valuables when moving home
Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2017
According to the results of a survey, a quarter of careless homeowners are leaving behind a small fortune in forgotten possessions when moving home.
Equity release lending reaches record levels
Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2017
The latest report and analysis from the Equity Release Council has revealed record annual growth in both lending and new customer volumes in Q1 following a record breaking 2016.
How much extra are Brits prepared to pay for their own garden?
Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2017
A new survey, interviewing 2,000 gardening mad Brits, has revealed that we would be prepared to pay an average of £35,000 on top of a property value if it had a garden or outdoor space.
Aspiring first time buyers remain confident
Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2017
Analysis from conveyancers My Home Move reveals that aspiring first time buyers remain ‘hopeful and confident’ about their chances to get a foot on the property ladder with 57% of respondents expecting to buy their first home by 2021.
Should older homeowners be incentivised to downsize and help first time buyers?
Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2017
A survey by Equifax has revealed that 46% feel that they would support a government incentive to encourage older homeowners to downsize their properties to free up space for younger buyers.
Rise in planning permissions for new homes
Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2017
Permission for 293,127 new homes were granted in 2016, the highest yearly total since the HBF Housing Pipeline survey began in 2006 and a strong indicator that increases in house building are set to continue.
Buy to let still an attractive investment
Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2017
Buy to let is still viewed as an attractive investment despite the government crackdown on the sector, data from bridging lender Market Financial Solutions has found.
£1million mortgage volumes rise 24% in last year
Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2017
Analysis by peer to peer secured lending platform, Lendy, has found that the number of new residential mortgages worth over £1 million went up by 24% last year, as banks continue to favour lending to owner-occupiers and reduce lending to property developers.
Strong first time buyer activity sees home buying hit 10 year high
Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2017
Data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has revealed that during the first two months of the year house purchase loans were at their highest levels since 2007.
Close family helping first time buyers onto the property ladder
Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2017
Research from Nationwide has found that, in order to raise a deposit for their home, more than half of all first time buyers are reliant on their family.
Report claims majority of home buyers remain optimistic
Posted on Monday, April 10, 2017
Research from Tesco Bank has found that nearly three quarters of prospective home buyers are optimistic that they will find the right home this year.
What makes Brits fall in love with their property?
Posted on Monday, April 10, 2017
Wood flooring specialists Flooring Republic asked 1,000 Brits what led them to fall in love with their homes, and which factors they consider non-negotiable when buying a property - and between community appeal and room size, it seems Brits are swayed by more than an attractive price tag.
Average landlord loan to value drops to 35%
Posted on Monday, April 10, 2017
Paragon has revealed that gearing amongst landlords remained low in Q1 2017, with the average loan-to-value (LTV) ratio decreasing by 2% to 35%.
Government announce new brownfield land register
Posted on Monday, April 10, 2017
The government has announced that it has given councils new tools to speed up development of derelict and underused land for new homes.
NAEA Propertymark: House sales at 10 year high
Posted on Friday, March 31, 2017
Data from NAEA Propertymark has revealed that, during February, agreed house sales rose to a 10 year high - 74% of which were below the original asking price, suggesting sellers are becoming more realistic when it comes to property transactions.
Help to Buy has now assisted over 1 million people
Posted on Friday, March 31, 2017
The latest data released by HM Treasury has shown that the government has now supported more than one million people through its Help to Buy schemes, including 868,240 who have opened Help to Buy: ISAs offering government bonuses of up to £3000 for those buying their first home.
Over 20% of buyers have less than 15% deposits
Posted on Friday, March 31, 2017
Analysis from e.surv has found that over a fifth of mortgages in February were taken out by borrowers with small deposits - a substantially higher figure than both the previous month and the same point last year.
NAEA Propertymark: Top 10 improvements to add value to your home
Posted on Friday, March 31, 2017
April is National Home Improvement Month which encourages home owners to improve their homes. The NAEA Propertymark top ten of home improvement tips to increase the value of your home:
First time buyers relying on 'Bank of Mum and Dad' at historic high
Posted on Friday, March 31, 2017
According to research by the Social Mobility Commission, the proportion of first-time buyers relying on inherited wealth or loans from the 'bank of mum and dad' has reached a historic high with no end in sight for the trend.
Market Update
Posted on Monday, March 27, 2017
Chris Harper and Darren Murphy give their views on the current property market
Retired homeowners’ property wealth at record high
Posted on Monday, March 27, 2017
The latest report from Key Retirement has revealed that over-65 homeowners’ property wealth has hit a new record of £1.072 trillion.
UK house prices remain strong
Posted on Monday, March 27, 2017
The latest UK House Price Index from the Office of National Statistics and Land Registry has revealed that, across the UK, the average price of a home has have increased by 6.2% in the year to January 2017, up from 5.7% in the year to December 2016.
RICS: Tenant demand rises for third consecutive month
Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2017
The latest report from RICS has shown new buyer enquiries remain flat and have now failed to see any meaningful growth since November 2016. Near term expectations remain positive but point to a relatively modest rise in activity in the months to come.
WiFi is top requirement for first time buyers
Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2017
A new survey by Principality Building Society has revealed first time buyers would prioritise hooking up their WiFi and TV when moving into their new home…before even having a sofa to sit on.
Bank of England: First-time buyer share of mortgage market is highest since 2007
Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2017
The proportion of first-time buyers getting mortgages in the fourth quarter of 2017 was the highest since records began in 2007, according to figures published today by the Bank of England.
Lifetime mortgages see 22% rise in popularity
Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2017
New Equity Release Council data has highlighted that, in terms of customer numbers, lifetime mortgages became the fastest growing segment of the mortgage market during 2016.
First time buyers fill the gap as buy to let demand cools
Posted on Monday, March 6, 2017
The latest data from Mortgage Advice Bureau has found that as demand slows in the buy-to-let sector there has been a rise in first time buyers buying their first homes.
74% of first time buyers paid stamp duty in 2016
Posted on Monday, March 6, 2017
A new report from Yorkshire Building Society has revealed that during 2016 almost three quarters of first time buyers paid stamp duty - a rise of 53% compared with a decade earlier.
Homeowners undervaluing their contents insurance by £100bn
Posted on Monday, March 6, 2017
New research by Admiral Home Insurance has revealed that homeowners across the country could be undervaluing their contents insurance by £100bn, despite a third believing their possessions are at risk.
Top tips to boost your property’s kerb appeal
Posted on Monday, March 6, 2017
According to several studies it takes the average buyer no more than eight seconds to decide whether or not they like your property, so keeping this in mind, kerb appeal should be a priority when trying to sell your home as first impressions account for much of the overall impression the property has on any potential buyer.
Nationwide reports a steady rise for UK house prices
Posted on Monday, March 6, 2017
The latest data from Nationwide has shown that during February, the average price of a home in the UK increased slightly to £205,846 - representing a rise of 0.6%.
CML: Over 60,000 shared ownership loans sold since 2006
Posted on Monday, March 6, 2017
Data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders has revealed that there were more than 60,000 shared ownership mortgages advanced since 2006.
Increasing landlord confidence as awareness of BTL changes improves
Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2017
Rising levels of awareness of the implications of buy to let tax changes have led to an increase in confidence among landlords, the latest Paragon Private Rented Sector trends report reveals.
Cash landlords at highest levels in 10 years
Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2017
The proportion of landlords paying in cash for a property reached 61% in January 2017, the highest since records began in 2007.
CML: January gross lending highest since 2008
Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2017
The Council of Mortgage Lenders says gross mortgage lending hit £18.9bn in January, up 6 per cent month on month and 2% year-on-year.
Kitchens lead the way when it comes to influencing potential buyers
Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2017
The latest survey from home services marketplace, Plentific.com, has revealed that a new kitchen is the most effective home improvement for influencing a potential buyer’s final decision as well as their offer.
Tenant demand still rising say landlords
Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2017
New data from Paragon Mortgages has revealed that tenant demand for private rented accommodation is continuing to rise.
Market Update
Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2017
Chris Harper and Darren Murphy give their views on the current property market
CML: Mortgage repossessions down
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2017
With interest rates at rock-bottom for so long, it should follow that the number of properties repossessed should be at the lowest level in more than 30 years
A quarter of couples argue over DIY improvements
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2017
The latest survey from Plentific.com has revealed that 27% of couples have argued at least once over home improvements.
First time buyers increasingly relying on two generations to buy a home
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2017
New independent research for equity release referral service, Key Partnerships, has revealed that in order for some first time buyers to get their foot on the property ladder they need help form two generations of their family.
Shared ownership sees a popularity surge
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2017
A new report from mover conveyancing services provider, My Home Move, has found that the number of shared ownership purchases increased by over 130% in the last six years.
Mortgage affordability shows “noticeable improvement”
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2017
New research from Halifax has found that, since the pre-crisis peak of 2007, there has been a noticeable improvement in mortgage affordability across the majority of all local authority districts.
New homes: Registrations top 150,000 in 2016
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2017
According to new data, more than 150,000 new homes were registered in the UK by NHBC in 2016, the second highest in almost a decade.
Remortgage approvals at 8 year high
Posted on Monday, February 6, 2017
Remortgage approvals continued to rise in December, hitting a new eight-year high of 47,721
Help To Buy ISA: 335,750 first time buyers helped
Posted on Monday, February 6, 2017
Recent figures released by The Office of National Statistics have revealed where in the UK the scheme is most popular.
Nationwide: House price growth remains stable
Posted on Monday, February 6, 2017
The latest report from Nationwide has revealed that there was a 0.2% month-on-month rise in average house prices during January - with annual house price growth remaining broadly stable at 4.3%.
Buy-to-let landlords undeterred by stamp duty surcharge
Posted on Monday, February 6, 2017
The number of second homes liable to pay stamp duty increased to 62,800 in the final quarter of last year, up from 56,200 in Q3 and 30,400 in Q2, suggesting that many people believe that investment in buy-to-let property is still worth pursuing.
Home improvement spend to surge in 2017
Posted on Monday, February 6, 2017
Looking at individual areas, flooring is set to experience the biggest increase in investment, with an average of 29% looking to spend more on this in 2017
Rental growth slows
Posted on Monday, February 6, 2017
Annual rental growth has slowed to 0.7% – falling from 4.7% seven months before, HomeLet’s Rental Index for January has found.
Market Update
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2017
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the current property market
CML: 2016 mortgage lending reached £246bn
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2017
In 2016 mortgage lending totalled £246bn – a 12% increase from 2015’s figure of £220bn according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
2016 was busiest year since 2007
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2017
2016 was the busiest year for housing since 2007 as 1.24 million people moved home, figures from HMRC show.
Landlords: February is the peak month for boiler repairs
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2017
New analysis by landlord insurer Direct Line for Business reveals February is the peak month for boiler repair claims, up 163% compared to the monthly average.
English housing need outpacing supply
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2017
The need for housing in England has in recent years grown faster than its supply, and housebuilding needs to increase across the country.
Rightmove: Robust supply and demand keeps house price inflation steady
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2017
The latest Rightmove statistics report a 0.4% monthly increase in the price of property coming to market - very similar to the 0.5% rise recorded in the same period 12 months ago.
Homes supply and demand gap widened by 370,000 in five years
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2017
The gap between the number of homes being built and demand to buy has increased by 370,000 in the past five years in England.
Halifax: First time buyer numbers hit ten year high
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2017
The number of first time buyers hit a ten-year high in 2016, according to Halifax research.
Prevention is better than cure to beat winter plumbing damage
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2017
Prevention is always better than cure and protecting plumbing before a drop in temperature can dramatically reduce the chances of any damage being caused
Buy to let purchases “returned to normal” in last quarter
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2017
Buy to let purchases took a greater share of the market in the back end of 2016, prompting Mortgages for Business chief executive David Whittaker to say the market has “returned to normal”.
New home planning approvals at a ten year high
Posted on Friday, January 6, 2017
The number of planning permissions granted for new homes reached a ten year high in the 12 months to September, according to the Home Builders Federation (HBF).
Rise in limited company buy to let finance applications
Posted on Friday, January 6, 2017
Landlords are increasingly buying through a limited company, Mortgages for Business’ Limited Company Buy to Let Index has revealed.
Government to build thousands of discounted homes for first time buyers
Posted on Friday, January 6, 2017
The government will build thousands of discounted homes for first time buyers this year on brownfield sites, according to housing minister Gavin Barwell.
Top 10 interior design trends for 2017
Posted on Friday, January 6, 2017
This year the emphasis within people's homes will be on an intensely natural environment
RICS: UK House prices set to increase by 3% in 2017
Posted on Friday, January 6, 2017
House prices in the UK will see an average increase of 3% over the course of the new year as the number of transactions stabilises according to the RICS housing forecast for 2017
The UK’s favourite household items
Posted on Friday, January 6, 2017
A report from Lloyds Bank Insurance takes a look at what gadgets have topped the UK’s most owned household items list.
£60m housebuilding fund established with stamp duty revenue
Posted on Friday, January 6, 2017
The government has set up an annual £60m fund to help communities ‘affected by second homeownership’ using revenue accumulated from stamp duty hikes.
Homeownership still important to young Brits
Posted on Friday, January 6, 2017
A UK-wide study from First Direct highlights the meaning of success to people across the UK and reveals what they deem as ‘successful’ and important throughout different stages of their lives.
Market Update
Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2016
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the property market as we enter 2017
60% of first time buyers say stamp duty reform would help them buy
Posted on Friday, December 23, 2016
Research published by Yorkshire Building Society has shown that almost two in three aspiring homeowners would be more likely to buy if they didn’t have to pay stamp duty.
CML to collect buy to let data in 2017
Posted on Friday, December 23, 2016
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) will begin collecting buy to let lending data in 2017.
House price increases outstrip pensioner income over last 20 years
Posted on Friday, December 23, 2016
House prices in England have grown at twice the rate of pensioner households’ disposable incomes over the past 20 years, according to new research from the Equity Release Council.
Over 55’s divorce rates boost equity release market
Posted on Friday, December 23, 2016
Research from Bower Retirement shows that rising divorce rates among women aged 55 and over is driving the equity release market.
Private housing stock now valued at £5.6 trillion
Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2016
The latest research by Halifax has found that privately owned housing stock in the UK has soared in value by £1.9 trillion (or 51%) to over £5.5 trillion in the last ten years.
CML: Landlord insights
Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2016
Research from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has revealed significant insights about landlords' profile, motivations, and plans for the future.
Help to Buy numbers hit 220,000
Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2016
According to the latest Help to Buy statistics, over 220,000 people have taken advantage of the scheme and have been able to buy a home using the Government’s Help to Buy products.
Over 65 homeowners seeing home values grow
Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2016
Over 65 homeowners typically saw their homes increase in value by £26,000 this year, Key Retirement’s Pensioner Property Index has revealed.
Michelin starred house prices!
Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2016
Latest research from Halifax has shown that house buyers who wish to live close to the finest restaurants should expect to pay a premium of 50%.
Landlord confidence bounces back
Posted on Monday, December 12, 2016
Despite the range of government measures looking to dampen down buy-to-let, landlords have grown more confident in how their portfolios will perform according to Kent Reliance’s Buy to Let Britain.
RICS: UK housing market shows signs of recovery
Posted on Monday, December 12, 2016
Sales activity in the UK residential market is increasing yet a slow start to 2017 is expected according to the November RICS Residential Market Survey.
Just 4% of affordable house purchases are new build
Posted on Monday, December 12, 2016
Just 4% of house purchases below £125,000 were new build in 2016 – signalling the challenge the government faces as it looks to kickstart the sector
Halifax: House price growth increases for first time in eight months
Posted on Monday, December 12, 2016
Data from Halifax has revealed that the annual rate of house price growth has risen from 5.2% in October to 6.0% in November - the first rise in 8 months.
First time buyer numbers increasing
Posted on Thursday, December 1, 2016
First time buyers took their biggest ever share of the mortgage market in October – accounting for a third (32%) of sales.
New build starts up 10%
Posted on Thursday, December 1, 2016
Quarterly new build starts were up 10% in Q3 from the previous year according to the housebuilding statistics released by the government.
Solar power popularity increases
Posted on Thursday, December 1, 2016
A quarter of all UK homes will have solar panels in the next few years according to research carried out for OVO Energy.
Right to Buy scheme expansion set to benefit thousands
Posted on Thursday, December 1, 2016
More housing association tenants will have an opportunity to buy their homes through the Government’s right to buy scheme, as a result of the Chancellor’s plans for a ‘large-scale’ pilot programme.
NAEA: Top tips for selling your home this winter
Posted on Thursday, December 1, 2016
By following a few simple steps from National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), sellers can ensure their property looks and feels attractive to capture a buyer this winter.
UK needs to build 685 new homes a day by 2020 to meet targets
Posted on Thursday, December 1, 2016
The UK’s housing shortfall will rise by a further 318,632 by 2020 at the current rate of growth, Aldermore has warned.
Christmas and New Year Opening Hours
Posted on Monday, November 28, 2016
Our Christmas and New Year opening hours
Market Update
Posted on Monday, November 28, 2016
Chris Harper and Darren Murphy give their views on the property market as 2016 ends and 2017 begins
Rightmove: House prices “resilient” as first time buyers feel the pressure
Posted on Thursday, November 24, 2016
House prices were described as “resilient” in the latest Rightmove House Price Index, which showed asking prices fell 1.1 per cent in the month to November, less than the seasonal average drop of 1 per cent.
RICS: More action needed on brownfield land
Posted on Thursday, November 24, 2016
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has urged the government to free up brownfield and unused land as well as speed up application approvals.
CML: Gross mortgage lending hits £20.6bn in October
Posted on Thursday, November 24, 2016
According to the latest data from CML, gross mortgage lending held steady in October and was an estimated £20.6 billion - closely matching September’s gross lending total of £20.5bn but 5% down on the £21.8bn this time last year.
Government on track for 1 million homes
Posted on Thursday, November 24, 2016
Newly released government figures have shown that 190,000 homes were added to the housing stock in England in the last financial year, up 11% on 2014-2015. Of these, 163,940 were new build homes, up 6%
Mortgage arrears remain at 20-year low
Posted on Saturday, November 12, 2016
The UK’s mortgage arrears rate remained at a 20-year low of 0.84% in the third quarter of 2016 according to Council of Mortgage Lenders data.
Buy to let landlords still looking to increase portfolios
Posted on Saturday, November 12, 2016
Nearly half (46%) of landlords with two or more properties expect to increase the size of their portfolio in the next few years, the Bank of Ireland’s UK Buy to Let Market Index has found.
RICS: How to winter proof your home
Posted on Saturday, November 12, 2016
With the cold weather now upon us , RICS is advising homeowners to check their properties to help stop the predicted harsh weather from taking its toll on their property, heating and maintenance bills.
Going green helps boost the household budget
Posted on Monday, November 7, 2016
As well as benefitting the environment, ‘going green’ can also help homeowners make significant savings
NAEA: Homebuyer confidence hits pre-Brexit levels
Posted on Monday, November 7, 2016
According to the latest report from the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), during September, demand for housing rose by 16% as confidence among the UK's homebuyers eclipsed post-Brexit worries about the effect it would have on the market.
ARLA Rental housing supply at 18 month high
Posted on Monday, November 7, 2016
According to new data from the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), the number of rental properties managed per letting agent branch is at the highest levels seen in 18 months.
Cats or Dogs: Which are more accident prone at home?
Posted on Monday, November 7, 2016
We are a nation of animal lovers. We love our pets dearly, especially cats and dogs. They offer companionship and comfort to millions throughout the UK and are treated like members of our own family. So which ones would cause the most damage to your home?
Business as usual for landlords post Brexit
Posted on Monday, November 7, 2016
A new survey conducted by Simple Landlords Insurance has found that despite the recent raft of political changes, it's business as usual for the majority of UK landlords.
Equity release: A £2bn market in 2016
Posted on Monday, November 7, 2016
The Equity Release market could break the £2bn barrier for the first time in 2016 after achieving another strong quarter, Equity Release Council data shows.
Market Update
Posted on Friday, October 28, 2016
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the current property market and their prognosis for the weeks ahead
Proximity to family or work - where would first time buyers rather live?
Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2016
New research by Principality Building Society released today has found that first time buyers are prepared to forget the family and would rather live nearer the office.
Top tips for winter home security
Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Top tips for winter home security
Waiting on the death of a loved on to get on housing ladder
Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2016
According to a new survey of millenial ‘wannabe homeowners’ by money.co.uk, 16% of those polled are waiting for the death of a loved one before they take their first step onto the property ladder.
RICS: Homebuyers return to market as Brexit nerves ease
Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Buyer demand has increased for the first time in seven months as Brexit “jitters” have started to ease, the latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has found.
Government plans minimum room size for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Bedrooms in HMOs will have to meet a minimum room size of at least 70 square feet for one person or 110 for two under proposals from the government.
Cost of mortgages continues to fall
Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2016
The cost of mortgages has fallen once again, Mortgage Brain data shows.
Number of second steppers planning to move is increasing
Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2016
The number of first time homeowners planning to take their second step on the property ladder is on the way up, according to a new survey from Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks.
80% of people aspire to be home owners within 10 years
Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Figures published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) as part of a long-running series on attitudes to housing tenure confirms homeownership remains firmly in place as the nation’s overwhelming preference.
Top tips to achieve an autumn transaction
Posted on Sunday, October 16, 2016
Now that the summer season is over and people are settling back in after vacations, if you are contemplating or trying to sell or let a property it's a good time to take stock of the situation and plan the way forward.
Top tips: How to get the show home look
Posted on Sunday, October 16, 2016
David Wilson Homes have given their top tips on current trends in interior design and how you can steal the show home look.
Parents becoming landlords to help children get on property ladder
Posted on Sunday, October 16, 2016
A growing number of parents are renting properties to their children or considering doing so in the future, as younger generations continue to struggle to take their first step onto the property ladder.
English cities dominate European house price growth
Posted on Sunday, October 16, 2016
House price growth in four English cities is among the highest in the whole of Europe, Knight Frank’s Global Residential Cities Index shows.
Government unveils £3bn housebuilders fund
Posted on Sunday, October 16, 2016
The government wants to kick-start housebuilding with a £3bn housebuilders fund to support SMEs, custom builders and developers, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has announced.
Over 55s hold more wealth than Italy’s annual GDP
Posted on Sunday, October 16, 2016
The UK’s over 55 homeowners are sitting on more property wealth than the annual GDP of Italy, research from Age Partnership shows.
ARLA: Rental demand remains high
Posted on Wednesday, October 5, 2016
ARLA: Rental demand remains high
Half of first time buyers plan to buy with a partner
Posted on Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Half (48%) of potential first-time buyers plan to apply for a mortgage with a partner and just a quarter (25%) want to go it alone, Aldermore research shows.
Younger first-time buyers use Help to Buy
Posted on Wednesday, October 5, 2016
The median age of first-time buyers using the Help to Buy scheme is lower than the open market, quarterly statistics published by The Treasury show.
Government ends Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme
Posted on Wednesday, October 5, 2016
The government has confirmed the Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme will finish at the end of 2016.
HMRC: £1m+ property sales generating 50% of stamp duty revenue
Posted on Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Properties worth more than £1m generated 50% of stamp duty land tax revenues in 2015-16, figures published by HMRC reveal.
Safety and green spaces are top priorities for homeowners
Posted on Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Homeowners choose personal and household safety (83%), having good neighbours (68%) and green spaces (62%) as the three most important factors when buying a house.
Market Update
Posted on Monday, September 26, 2016
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the current property market
Rightmove: Reasons to be optimistic about buy to let
Posted on Monday, September 26, 2016
It has been 12 weeks since the Brexit vote and the buy to let market has many reasons to be optimistic.
Report shows saving for deposit three times more important than pension
Posted on Monday, September 26, 2016
The latest research for the Nottingham Building Society has found that for the under 35s, saving a deposit is top priority for 24% of under-35s compared with just 8% who target pensions.
£1 trillion of pensioner property wealth
Posted on Monday, September 26, 2016
The long-term story as highlighted by our research is that property has performed very well with average over-65s making more than £9,000 a year during a period of record low interest rates and stock market volatility
Buy to let mortgage costs down by as much as 8%
Posted on Friday, September 23, 2016
Many buy to let landlords are benefitting from the continuing reductions of mortgage costs, with lenders across the board shaving percentage points off their best deals in an effort to attract greater business from those buying or re-mortgaging property, including buy to let landlords.
TDS: Private rental sector continues to grow
Posted on Friday, September 23, 2016
There has been a significant increase in the amount of tenancy deposits taken on assured shorthold tenancies in England and Wales by landlords, reflecting the growth in popularity of buy-to-let property as an attractive investment, it has been claimed.
Majority of small and medium sized builders unaffected by Brexit
Posted on Friday, September 23, 2016
Only 31% of SME builders have seen significant changes to business as a result of the EU referendum, according to research carried out by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
The price of being a first time buyer nears £200,000 mark
Posted on Friday, September 23, 2016
First-time buyer asking prices are nearing the £200,000 mark after rising by 10.5% annually and 3.3% on a monthly basis.
More new homes being built than being reported
Posted on Friday, September 23, 2016
The government’s most publicised measure of house building excludes around a fifth of all new build completions every year, a new report has revealed.
Quarter of parents buy with school catchment area in mind
Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2016
A quarter (26%) of parents are moving house with a school catchment area in mind, research from Santander Mortgages has found.
Brexit: Homebuyers unperturbed
Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Most homebuyers aren’t perturbed by the impact of the Brexit vote, a Virgin Money poll has indicated.
Government abandons immediate plans to privatise Land Registry
Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2016
A move to privatise the Land Registry has been shelved by the government.
Annual house price growth cools
Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2016
On the ground we are not finding a huge change in prices, just a determination for buyers and sellers to get on with moving but at more realistic price levels
One in three pensioners using property wealth for dream holidays
Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Retired homeowners are turning property wealth into dream holidays with average spending on trips abroad hitting £6,785, analysis from leading over 55s retirement specialist Key Retirement found.
Decoration or procrastination?
Posted on Sunday, September 4, 2016
82% of Brits admit to putting off essential jobs around the house, procrastinating for an average of nearly four weeks, according to research by residential property manager FirstPort.
Conveyancing Association to keep up with Leasehold campaign
Posted on Sunday, September 4, 2016
The Conveyancing Association has confirmed it will continue unabated with its campaign to reform and amend the leasehold transaction process, despite recent developments.
Most Brits 'would go over budget' for the right home
Posted on Sunday, September 4, 2016
Almost 78% of UK adults - 43 million - are willing to go over budget to find a home which meets all their priorities, according to research conducted on behalf of Ocean Finance.
Buy-to-let market 'will remain robust'
Posted on Sunday, September 4, 2016
Accord Buy to Let has announced plans to expand into the consumer buy-to-let and first-time landlord markets over the next few months.
27% of parents would consider funding others onto property ladder
Posted on Sunday, September 4, 2016
Over a quarter of parents say they would consider funding other people’s children onto the property ladder in exchange for a return on their investment.
ARLA: Rental market in good shape
Posted on Sunday, September 4, 2016
While many are predicting doom in the property market, ARLA’s July private rental sector report found that the number of rental properties on letting agents’ books in July was the highest so far this year at 184.
Poor credit scores put young home seekers at risk
Posted on Sunday, September 4, 2016
Millions of young adults are risk being unable to get a mortgage by damaging their credit rating before they turn 25, according to Amigo research.
Market Update
Posted on Monday, August 29, 2016
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the current property market
New homes numbers rise
Posted on Monday, August 29, 2016
The number of homes built in the year to June has increased by 6% to 139,030, the latest Government figures reveal.
British Bankers Association: Brexit not hitting mortgage borrowing
Posted on Monday, August 29, 2016
Brexit has not hit mortgage borrowing demand, according to figures from the British Bankers’ Association.
CML: Arrears at lowest level since record began
Posted on Monday, August 29, 2016
Mortgage arrears could plummet to lows not seen since 1982, according to new data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
Rental prices increase by 2.4% annually
Posted on Monday, August 29, 2016
According to the latest figures from the ONS, private rental prices paid by tenants in Great Britain rose by 2.4% in the 12 months to July 2016, unchanged compared with the year to June 2016.
Smaller house builders are key to hitting new homes target
Posted on Monday, August 29, 2016
The Federation of Master Builders has backed a new report from homeless charity Shelter which calls on the Government to put SMEs at the centre of its house building strategy.
Pensioners gift over £39,350 of property wealth to family
Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2016
Over one in five retired homeowners access equity in their properties to treat children and grandchildren.
One in four planning applications is processed late
Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2016
Nearly a quarter of a million applications have not been processed on time for six years, according to an investigation by The Times.
Brexit has not changed lending confidence
Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2016
Confidence is reflected in the proportion of investors looking to buy an additional buy-to-let property over the next year.
Turn your garden into an outdoor living room
Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2016
Do you dream about expanding your living space? Having more room to relax, enjoy family activities or simply rejuvenate creates a comfortable home for every member of the family.
CML: First time buyer lending up 25%
Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2016
First-time buyers are continuing to drive house purchase lending, outperforming home movers for the third month running
Homeowners could save £1800 in interest and reduce mortgage term by a year
Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2016
The latest research from comparethemarket.com has revealed that UK mortgage holders could see significant savings and wipe years off their mortgage term by making regular overpayments.
Private Rental Sector: Demand continues to outstrip supply
Posted on Saturday, August 13, 2016
According to the latest report from Homelet, rents across the UK continued to rise during July, building on the consistent increases seen during the first half of the year. However, despite these increases, the rate of rental growth is still slowing as we enter the second half of the year.
Top tips on staging your home to ensure a faster sale
Posted on Saturday, August 6, 2016
Staging is preparing your home to be seen at its best by potential buyers. It can help your property sell faster, and it can add thousands of pounds to your property’s value. If you’re planning to sell your home, then ‘staging’ it can give the process a real boost.
Bank of mum and dad see 25% rise in deposit lending
Posted on Saturday, August 6, 2016
According to the latest findings from conveyancing specialists at Fidler & Pepper Solicitors, more and more people are relying on the bank of mum and dad to help them get on the property ladder.
Home ownership at lowest level for 30 years
Posted on Saturday, August 6, 2016
English home ownership has fallen to its lowest level in 30 years with Greater Manchester, South and West Yorkshire and the West Midlands all experiencing falls, according to Resolution Foundation analysis.
Rental yields remain strong despite Brexit
Posted on Saturday, August 6, 2016
Rental incomes in the first six months of 2016 were 1.5% higher than in the same period last year, according to figures by BM solutions.
Length of tenancies at a five year high
Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2016
A new report from Imfuna has found that the average length of tenancies in the UK has increased by 300% over the last two years, from 16 months in 2014 to four years in 2016.
Majority of over 55s have no intention to downsize
Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2016
A recent survey conducted by My Home Move has revealed that 58% of over 55s have no intention to downsize in the near future, claiming that they are hindered by moving costs and lack of the ‘right kind of properties’ and despite industry calls for more family-sized properties to come onto market.
Six million over-45 homeowners see property as key to retirement income
Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2016
Some 46% see property wealth as a key part of retirement income planning, with 69% owning a home worth more than their pensions, savings and investments.
Market Update August 2016
Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2016
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the current property market
UK landlords remain bullish following Brexit
Posted on Monday, July 18, 2016
BDRC Continental ran a special post referendum survey to take the pulse of Britain’s private landlords in the immediate aftermath of the UK’s decision to leave the EU and found that despite two thirds of UK landlords feeling uncertain or worried about a negative impact on the Private Rental Sector, they remain bullish about their own fate.
Retired households to dominate household growth in next twenty years
Posted on Monday, July 18, 2016
The over-65s will dominate household growth over the next two decades, according to projections from the Office for National Statistics.
CML: First-time buyers drive May activity
Posted on Monday, July 18, 2016
First-time buyer lending increased by 23% year-on-year and 10% from the month before to reach £4.3bn in May 2016, figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders have revealed.
How old will you be before you buy your 'forever home'?
Posted on Monday, July 18, 2016
New research from first direct finds our homes may no longer be our castles, but they must come with a large kitchen, a private garden, and easy access to a supermarket.
UK house building falls short of targets by 1,199,180 since 2004
Posted on Monday, July 18, 2016
The shortfall in housing supply in England has hit new levels as the government continues to miss its building targets
Changes in landlord behaviour sees growth of Limited Company buy to let investment
Posted on Monday, July 11, 2016
Lending to buy to let investors borrowing via limited companies grew in the first half of the year according to the results of the H1 2016 Limited Company Buy to Let Index. The number of lenders and products available to limited company borrowers also increased.
Post Brexit: Housing remains a top priority for the government
Posted on Monday, July 11, 2016
Communities secretary Greg Clark and housing minister Brandon Lewis have said that house building will remain a top priority for the government despite uncertainty following the Brexit.
Seven in ten buyers would consider 10-year fix rate mortgage
Posted on Monday, July 11, 2016
Seven in ten house-hunters (72%) would consider fixing their mortgage for 10-years as a way of providing certainty on financial outgoings, according to new research from HSBC.
First time buyer interest payments drop by an average of £1,300
Posted on Monday, July 11, 2016
Average interest payments for a first-time buyer mortgage over two years fell from £11,327 in Q1 2015 to £10,019 in Q1 2016 – a saving of £1,308 – according to research from AmTrust International, Mortgage and Special Risks.
House price growth slows but remains strong
Posted on Monday, July 11, 2016
Annual house price growth slowed to 8.4% in June, the lowest rate in a year, the Halifax House Price Index.
New home planning consents at eight year high
Posted on Monday, July 4, 2016
The number of planning consents granted for new homes in quarter one of 2016 remained high, HBF and Glenigan’s latest Housing Pipeline report shows
Second steppers lack of savings an issue when upsizing
Posted on Monday, July 4, 2016
The latest data to come from uSwitch has found that British homeowners have been lulled into a false sense of security by rising house prices, with many of them facing a significant shortfall in funds when they move.
Future changes that landlords face post stamp duty tax increase
Posted on Monday, July 4, 2016
Increased SDLT costs on the purchase of additional residential properties is not the only change in store for residential property investors.
Buy to let mortgage sales increase
Posted on Monday, July 4, 2016
Combined, residential and buy-to-let sales for the intermediated market totalled £6.4bn
Eviction: Supreme Court ruling on Human Rights
Posted on Monday, July 4, 2016
Private landlords need not fear that tenants they want to evict can invoke breach of their 'Human Rights' when they are being evicted, following a ruling by the Supreme Court, specialist property lawyer Kary Withers of Clarke Willmott LLP has reported
Families now the most common group in the private rental sector
Posted on Monday, July 4, 2016
Contrary to popular perception, there’s growing evidence that renting is no obstacle to putting down roots and calling somewhere home
Market Update – July 2016
Posted on Monday, June 27, 2016
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the current property market and their prognosis following the Euro referendum vote.
RSPCA: Top Tips for moving home with pets
Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2016
The RSPCA provide pet owners with advice on making moving home as stress-free as possible for their animals.
Retired renter numbers increase by 200,000 in last four years
Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2016
According to a survey of private renters, the number of people living in private rented accommodation in retirement has soared by more than 200,000 in the last four years.
What people look for in a kitchen when buying property
Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2016
People still regard the kitchen as one of the most important rooms in the house when it comes to buying a property
CML: Purchase lending fell in April
Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2016
Buy-to-let mortgage lending fell by 65% in April after the 3% stamp duty surcharge came into force, Council of Mortgage Lenders figures show.
Survey shows tenant demand and satisfaction remain high
Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2016
Surveys of more than 1,800 Private Rented Sector landlords and tenants, show demand for rental properties in the UK is increasing and there is a high degree of tenant satisfaction.
Over a third of investors plan to expand student property portfolios
Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2016
Since 2011, student accommodation has outperformed all other traditional property assets and has been the strongest growing investment property market in the UK.
Raising a deposit remains the biggest hurdle for first time buyers
Posted on Monday, June 6, 2016
According to new research from Nottingham Building Society, nearly two out of three first-time buyers apply for a mortgage as a couple, with just 18% of those saying they could afford to buy on their own.
Landlords looking to exceed tenant expectations
Posted on Monday, June 6, 2016
With increasing competition to attract the best tenants, more landlords are now going out of their way to provide an enhanced tenant experience and improve the quality of rental stock on offer.
Government intervention in private rental sector causing low landlord confidence
Posted on Monday, June 6, 2016
"Increased stamp duty, as well as reduced levels of income tax relief for landlords due to come into force next April, have undoubtedly impacted landlord sentiment."
Spending on DIY at seven year high
Posted on Monday, June 6, 2016
Around £3.65 is spent on DIY tools and materials for every £1 spent on tradesmen, showing how important DIY is to UK households.
Greater London prices eclipse £600,000 in Q1
Posted on Monday, June 6, 2016
In the first quarter of 2016 prices rose by 7.9% from the previous quarter and transactions increased by 3.9% as buyers rushed to beat the 3% stamp duty surcharge coming into force on 1 April.
Market Update
Posted on Friday, May 27, 2016
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the current property market
Private rental sector remains ‘fundamental part’ of housing market
Posted on Friday, May 27, 2016
With tenant demand continuing to rise, the private rented sector (PRS) will remain a “fundamental part” of the UK’s housing market moving forward, according to a leading buy-to-let specialist
Lending drops in April but is still higher than a year ago
Posted on Friday, May 27, 2016
Mortgage lending dropped by a fifth in April after the March stampede to get deals done before the stamp duty changes came into force, BBA figures have found.
NAEA: Housing demand falls away after March boom
Posted on Friday, May 27, 2016
Housing demand dropped to a 2-year low after the stamp duty changes came into force on 1 April, the National Association of Estate Agents April Housing Market report has revealed.
Renters suffer from an inability to plan long-term
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2016
Financial wellness is “drastically split” between homeowners and non-homeowners with renters suffering due to a lack of assets and an inability to plan long-term effectively.
CML: Repossessions and arrears continue to fall
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2016
According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), repossessions in Q1 this year fell to 2,100 (1,500 home-owner, 600 buy-to-let), meaning that the repossession rate is the lowest on record.
Over 7 million adults moved back home after a break up
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2016
Research from Churchill Home Insurance has revealed that over 7m UK adults have been forced to move back home with their parents following a break up, divorce or separation.
Landlords – top tips on how to keep your tenants
Posted on Monday, May 23, 2016
Research by landlord insurance provider, Direct Line for Business, has found that on average, British renters spend an average of 18 months in a rented property before moving on.
What barriers are keeping first-time buyers off the property ladder?
Posted on Monday, May 16, 2016
A new survey of 10,000 people in the UK has revealed the key reasons that first time buyers are struggling to get a foot on the UK property ladder.
CML: Stamp duty increase led to 180% rise in buy to let purchases
Posted on Monday, May 16, 2016
According to the Council for Mortgage Lenders (CML), the fluctuation in transactions as a result of the new stamp duty rate "appears to have been larger than anything we've seen before that's associated with a tax change".
Buy to let mortgage valuations slump 40% in wake of stamp duty changes
Posted on Monday, May 16, 2016
According to data from Landmark Quest, there has been a 40% decline in the number of Buy-to-Let mortgage valuation instructions in April 2016 when compared to February 2016. Between March and April alone, the figures dropped by a significant 30.6%.
Landlords relax as rents rise after tax increase
Posted on Saturday, May 7, 2016
New data from HomeLet has revealed that fears over higher Stamp Duty charges on purchasing BTL rental property might weaken the market have so far proved unfounded.
Tenant demand remains strong despite drop in landlord confidence
Posted on Saturday, May 7, 2016
Almost four in 10 landlords (39%) have seen an increase in tenant demand over the last three months, despite lower confidence in short-term expectations, according to the latest quarterly index from BM Solutions.
What are the top property turn-offs for buyers?
Posted on Saturday, May 7, 2016
According to the latest research from Gocompare.com Mortgages, dodgy home repairs, tiny rooms and poor lighting are just some of the things that would send a prospective buyer running for the hills - but what is the biggest turn off?
What are the top ten features on British garden wish lists?
Posted on Saturday, May 7, 2016
Research has revealed traditional garden features have fallen out of favour, with more lavish features such as hot tubs, swimming pools and tennis courts taking prime position on garden wish lists.
Planning consents at highest levels for eight years
Posted on Saturday, May 7, 2016
According to the latest housing pipeline report from HBF and Glenigan, initial planning permission for 255,032 new homes was granted in England in 2015 - up 57% from a low point of 162,204 in 2009.
Property wealth exceeds pension savings for over 55s
Posted on Saturday, May 7, 2016
Property wealth is worth more than the total pension savings for nearly six out of 10 over-55s, research from high net worth adviser Bower Private Clients reveals.
Bank of Mum and Dad is now a top ten lender
Posted on Saturday, May 7, 2016
The ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ will contribute to 25% of all UK mortgage purchases this year, making them a ‘top ten’ lender.
House construction growth rate slows
Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2016
House building continued to slow in Q1 with only 36% more of those working in residential construction reporting a rise in growth rather than a fall over the first quarter of 2016.
Market Update
Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their update on the current property market
NAEA: Housing supply increasing
Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Sales to first-time buyers increased by 4% in March – and more than a third (36%) of estate agents expected sales to first-time buyers to increase further due to less competition for properties.
How well do you know your neighbours?
Posted on Friday, April 22, 2016
According to a report from TSB, people in Britain are actually friendlier than you might think.
Buy to let mortgage product numbers on the rise
Posted on Friday, April 22, 2016
According to Mortgages for Business, the number of buy to let mortgage products available increased from 963 in Q4 2015 to 1,105 in Q1 2016.
ONS: House prices continue upward trend
Posted on Friday, April 22, 2016
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that UK house prices climbed on average across the UK by 7.6% in the year to February 2016, dipping slightly from 7.9% in the year to January 2016.
Is buy to let lending getting tougher?
Posted on Friday, April 22, 2016
After the introduction of new buy to let tax rules, the Bank of England’s tightening up of mortgage lending criteria may also impact on existing and potential new landlords.
NAEA: Improvement tips to add value to your home
Posted on Friday, April 22, 2016
April is National Home Improvement Month and the NAEA has provided some advice on how property owners can improve their home to increase its value.
Rightmove: Buy-to-let rush has caused chain reaction
Posted on Friday, April 22, 2016
In its latest house price index, Rightmove says that the rush to beat the 3% stamp duty surcharge has resulted in a ‘chain reaction’ of higher demand in higher price brackets.
How much have house prices risen since the last Euro referendum?
Posted on Friday, April 22, 2016
Since the 1975 in-out referendum, where Britain decided to remain in Europe, the average price of property has outperformed shares and eclipsed the growth in value of gold. In fact, only 30 out of 164 quarters (18%) since Q2 1975 have seen negative house price growth.
Public know little about Help to Buy ISAs
Posted on Friday, April 22, 2016
Research from Precise Mortgages shows that nearly half of the public admit to knowing very little about the government’s Help to Buy ISA while 14% have never even heard of it.
Buy to let market has “strong future”, say landlords
Posted on Saturday, April 9, 2016
Research by Aldermore shows over half the UK’s buy-to-let landlords (52%) expect changes to stamp duty and buy-to-let mortgage tax relief to have no real impact on them.
Tenant’s right to request energy improvements comes into force
Posted on Saturday, April 9, 2016
From 1st April 2016, tenants have the right to request consent from their landlords to make energy-saving improvements for the properties they rent.
The top ten home improvement wish list
Posted on Saturday, April 9, 2016
According to a new report from Gocompare.com Money, 14% of homeowners are considering making improvements to their home.
Landlords move towards limited companies
Posted on Saturday, April 9, 2016
A survey of nearly 1,400 private rented sector landlords undertaken by BDRC Continental on behalf of Paragon Mortgages has revealed that increasing numbers are considering moving their property investments into limited company vehicles.
Government housebuilding targets not being met
Posted on Saturday, April 9, 2016
The Government’s target of building 1 million new homes over this parliament is unlikely to be met. Less than 460,000 homes were built between 2011 and 2014, according to figures from the National Housing Federation, despite forecasts that 974,000 new homes were needed.
Study says new home building may make owning a home less affordable
Posted on Saturday, April 9, 2016
Increasing the supply of new-build properties may make owning a home in the UK less affordable, research by Nottingham Trent University claims.
Market Update April 2016
Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2016
Chris Harper and Darren Murphy give their views on the current property market and the prognosis for the weeks ahead
Say goodbye DIY, hello DFY!
Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2016
A survey of 2,000 adults by UK based retirement housebuilder, McCarthy & Stone, shows few people take on day to day jobs and chores themselves and are embracing the idea of 'DFY' - jobs Done For You.
HMOs: The top property investment for 2016?
Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2016
Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) are likely to be the most popular property type for property investors this year, research from Shawbrook has claimed.
Homes can be dangerous: Making yours a safer place
Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2016
Research by Confused.com reveals that in 2015, 750,000 under-5s attended A&E as a result of accidents in the home.
The top 20 things that buyers look for in a home
Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2016
According to a new survey from Gocompare.com Mortgages, house-hunters opt for a good, reliable broadband signal over highly-rated schools; off-road parking over a garage and a living room big enough for a large flat screen telly over period features.
Planning permissions reach eight year high
Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2016
Planning permissions reached an eight year high of 253,000 in 2015 according to figures published by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
30% year on year increase in gross mortgage lending
Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2016
February mortgage lending was 30% higher than the same month last year on a gross basis, Council of Mortgage Lenders figures show.
Number of single tenants falling in the private rental sector
Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2016
The number of tenancies signed by a single tenant has fallen, according to the latest HomeLet Rental Index.
90% of tenants consider their rented property to be home
Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2016
A survey of more than 800 Private Rented Sector (PRS) tenants undertaken by BDRC Continental on behalf of Paragon Mortgages found high levels of satisfaction with rented accommodation with 90% of those surveyed saying they consider their rented property to be their home.
Will EU block accidental landlords from access to cheaper mortgages
Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2016
A little-known piece of EU legislation could see so-called accidental landlords refused cheaper mortgages - because they can't afford them.
Are Housebuilders deliberately restricting supply?
Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2016
It has been suggested that housebuilders are intentionally ‘holding back’ the construction of new homes to keep property prices artificially high in order to boost profits.
Nearly 20% of tenants don’t expect full deposit back
Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2016
Nearly 20% of tenants say that when they hand over their deposit cheque, they never expect to see all the money again. Meanwhile the same proportion of landlords say the deposit they took didn’t full cover damage by tenants.
Help to Buy: 150,000 completions
Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2016
More than 150,000 people have bought houses under the Help to Buy scheme, according to the Government.
Landlords told they should prepare for longer tenancies
Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2016
According to the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC), landlords and property managers must now prepare for long-term tenancies as data shows the average private tenancy length is now four years, up from three and a half years in the previous survey.
'Business as usual' despite tax changes for investors
Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2016
A new survey of over 170 property investors shows that 56% of Shawbrook clients are planning to purchase a buy to let property within the next year.
Number of mortgage products available at an 8 year high
Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2016
The latest report from Mortgage Advice Bureau has found that the number of mortgage products available on the market hit 17,132 in January - the highest number seen since March 2008 (23,802).
Up 23%: House building starts highest for seven years
Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2016
The number of house builds started in Q4 of 2015 was 23% higher than in 2014 according to new figures released by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
NAEA: Supply of housing at lowest level in 14 years
Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2016
The supply of housing has fallen to its lowest level in 14 years, the National Association of Estate Agents January Housing Market report has found.
First time buyer income gap at five year high
Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2016
According to the latest research by mortgage insurer, Genworth, the first time buyer income gap between average incomes and the incomes of buyers taking their first step onto the housing ladder has reached a post-recession high.
93% of councils say starter home plans will not address affordable housing need
Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2016
A new online survey, which was sent to Council Leaders, Heads of Planning, Heads of Housing and Heads of Finance in local authorities across England in February 2016, has revealed that just 7% of councils believe that Starter Homes will address the need for affordable housing.
Prudential: Buy to let tax changes not deterring pension pot investors
Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2016
Changes introduced to the tax and stamp duty levied on buy to let income and property appears not to have deterred older investors from deciding to put money into the lettings sector.
Should the buyers of energy-inefficient homes pay more Stamp Duty?
Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2016
The suggestion, which could see purchasers of energy inefficient home paying up to £2,500 more Stamp Duty, has come from think tank Policy Exchange.
Market Update
Posted on Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the current property market
Is there really a premium for South facing property?
Posted on Wednesday, February 24, 2016
A new study reveals that the benefits of a south facing garden are not reflected in the asking price.
Buy to let purchasers outnumbered three to one by first time buyers
Posted on Wednesday, February 24, 2016
There were 311,700 mortgages issued to first time buyers last year. While the figure was the same as 2014, the amount borrowed – £46.7bn – was the highest since 2007.
Why the private rental sector is dominated by young tenants
Posted on Wednesday, February 24, 2016
The home ownership ladder is disappearing for most young working households on modest incomes who are obliged to rent for the indefinite future, claims an independent think tank.
MPs want more energy information provided to tenants
Posted on Wednesday, February 24, 2016
MPs and members of the House of Lords want private sector tenants to be given clearer up-front information on the cost of all utility bills before signing a tenancy agreement, as well as about their right to change energy suppliers
First time buyers spend £52,900 on rent before buying
Posted on Saturday, February 13, 2016
First time buyers typically spend £52,900 on rent before getting on the housing ladder, the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) Cost of Renting report claims.
Over a third of private tenants are not saving to buy
Posted on Saturday, February 13, 2016
A report appears to show that well over a third of British tenants are not saving to buy.
CML: Lowest mortgage arrears in a decade
Posted on Saturday, February 13, 2016
2015 saw the lowest arrears rates in more than a decade, figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders show.
Love thy neighbour (it seems not always!)
Posted on Saturday, February 13, 2016
According to the latest research, for 18 million Brits, their neighbours have become a nuisance.
Halifax: Average house prices now at over £212,000
Posted on Friday, February 5, 2016
Average house prices in January stood at £212,430 say the Halifax.
A Help to Buy ISA is opened every 30 seconds
Posted on Friday, February 5, 2016
Potential first-time buyers have opened a Help to Buy ISA account every 30 seconds since the scheme was launched on 1 December 2015.
UK housebuilding up 7% year on year but still way behind required levels
Posted on Friday, February 5, 2016
The number of new homes registered to be built in the UK increased by 7% year on year in 2015, hitting an eight year high of over 156,000 according to the National House Building Council (NHBC).
Limited Company Buy to Let transactions rise again in January
Posted on Friday, February 5, 2016
Applications made by Limited Companies accounted for 43% of all buy-to-let transactions in January, analysis from broker Mortgages for Business has revealed, up from 38% in December 2014.
How far will people move to get on the property ladder?
Posted on Tuesday, February 2, 2016
A new report has revealed that almost 13m people plan to move over 20 miles in order to be able to afford to buy their first home
House price confidence remains strong
Posted on Tuesday, February 2, 2016
The latest quarterly Halifax Housing Market Confidence Tracker has revealed that confidence in the UK housing market remains strong despite a backdrop of cooling confidence in the wider economy.
CML: Stamp duty reforms urged
Posted on Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Responding to the HM Treasury consultation on the 3% surcharge on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) proposals for second properties, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) urges reform of the implementation plans, to mitigate potentially negative impacts on the housing market as a whole.
BoE: Mortgage approvals up 21% year on year
Posted on Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Mortgage approvals rose 21.2% year on year in December, from 102,910 to 124,803, according to Bank of England (BoE) figures.
ARLA: Dedicated Housing Court needed to cover all lettings sector legal disputes
Posted on Monday, January 25, 2016
ARLA (The Association of Residential Letting Agents) wants a dedicated court or tribunal to deal with all property and housing related legal disputes.
Experian: 1.7 million tenants frustrated in their home buying plans
Posted on Monday, January 25, 2016
According to Experian, one in three private tenants have put their plans to buy on hold and have remained in rented accommodation longer than planned.
Market Update
Posted on Monday, January 25, 2016
Chris Harper & Darren Murphy give their views on the current property market
CML: 2015 lending reached £220.3bn
Posted on Monday, January 25, 2016
Mortgage lending reached an estimated £220.3bn in 2015 – an 8% increase on 2014’s total of £203.3bn, Council of Mortgage Lenders figures show
26% of first-time buyers take 35 year mortgage terms
Posted on Monday, January 18, 2016
In 2007 the proportion taking out a thirty five year term was 16%, yet by 2015 that figure grew to 26% according to researc h from the Halifax.
CML: “slow but steady” growth
Posted on Monday, January 18, 2016
The Director General of the Council for Mortgage Lenders (CML) Paul Smee has forecast “slow but steady upward trajectory over the next two years” after the trade body released its lending data for November.
2015: Over 300,000 first time buyers for second year in succession
Posted on Monday, January 18, 2016
The Halifax has revealed that during 2015, first-time-buyer numbers hit 310,000.
Stress: Where does buying or selling a property rate?
Posted on Monday, January 11, 2016
Research from Which? Mortgage Advisers reveals that buying and selling property is one of the most stressful life experiences - more so than having a child and second only to going through a divorce. But which was considered worse?
Halifax: Property prices rise 9.5% year-on-year
Posted on Monday, January 11, 2016
UK property prices in the fourth quarter of 2015 were 9.5% higher than the same period in 2014, according to the Halifax.
Government to directly commission 13,000 new homes
Posted on Monday, January 11, 2016
The Government has kick-started its affordable homes programme by announcing the fast-track building of thousands of houses on publicly-owned land.
ARLA: rents to increase in 2016
Posted on Monday, January 4, 2016
The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) has said that rents will rise in the New Year due to legislation changes affecting landlo
AMI: Mortgage rates to rise early in 2016
Posted on Monday, January 4, 2016
Mortgage rates are likely to rise in the first quarter of 2016 as lenders look to control their lending before the Mortgage Credit Directive comes into force in March, the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries predicts.
First-time buyers reliant on family help
Posted on Monday, January 4, 2016
More than half (52%) of first-time buyers rely on their families to financially assist them in buying their first home, research from Which? Mortgage Advisers says.
RICS: Rents up 3% in 2016 with forecast of more by 2020
Posted on Monday, January 4, 2016
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is predicting that rents are likely to increase even faster than house prices in the next five years
RICS: House prices to increase by 6% in 2016
Posted on Monday, January 4, 2016
House prices in the UK will see an average increase of 6% over the course of next year, the RICS housing forecast for 2016 is predicting
Zoopla: 600,000 Britons are now property millionaires
Posted on Monday, January 4, 2016
More than 600,000 Britons are now property millionaires with their home values having eclipsed the £1m mark
Santander: Buying is cheaper than renting across the UK
Posted on Monday, January 4, 2016
A report from Santander says that potential first-time buyers would have lower monthly outgoings if they bought a property than they do renting
Christmas & New Year opening hours
Posted on Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Christmas & New Year opening hours
Market Update
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2015
The start of a New Year is always an opportunity to reflect on the year that has just passed and look forward to the one that is about to begin.
A third of the UK has problems with neighbours
Posted on Monday, December 14, 2015
18 million residents, or a third of the UK’s adult population, have faced disputes with their neighbour over the past 12 months, and half of those have been left feeling stressed or depressed
130,000 Help to buy completions to date
Posted on Monday, December 14, 2015
The Help to Buy Equity Loan and Mortgage Guarantee schemes have assisted 130,000 mortgages since their launch in 2013.
Wear and Tear tax allowance to be changed after consultation
Posted on Monday, December 14, 2015
HM Revenue and Customs has published the responses it received to its 12 week consultation on changing the Wear and Tear Allowance for buy to let landlords.
Rents are slowing across the UK
Posted on Monday, December 14, 2015
The latest HomeLet Rental Index reveals that rents on new tenancies agreed over the three months to November fell in most areas of the country.
Do small housebuilders hold keys to home ownership?
Posted on Monday, December 14, 2015
Owning a home is likely to be on many peoples New Year wish list. With the Government’s commitment to deliver thousands of new homes, there are many doors opening for first time buyers, as well as opportunities for the house building industry.
More 95% loan to value mortgages in 2016
Posted on Monday, December 14, 2015
New lenders will enter the 95% loan to value market in 2016, Accord’s National Intermediary Sales Manager David Robinson has foretold
Getting on the home ownership ladder getting easier
Posted on Monday, December 14, 2015
Barriers to getting on the housing ladder fell from September to December 2015 with the announcement of The Building Societies Association’s Property Tracker which found that 52% saw raising a deposit as the biggest barrier, down from 59% in September.
Tenant demand continues to grow
Posted on Friday, December 11, 2015
Paragon Mortgages report that tenant demand has continued to grow across the country in quarter three of 2015.
Britons quick to fall in love with property
Posted on Friday, December 11, 2015
A survey by My Home Move, has discovered that we are a nation of decisive homebuyers who are quick to fall in love with a home and act fast to buy it.
Average deposits rising
Posted on Friday, December 11, 2015
Mortgage Advice Bureau say that average deposits rose in nine out of eleven regions in October. As a result, the average purchase deposit reached £71,301: a monthly increase of 0.9% and annual rise of 3.5%.
Stamp duty hike may hit new-build volumes warns Berkeley Homes
Posted on Friday, December 11, 2015
The chairman of Berkeley Homes is warning that the Government’s 3% stamp duty increase for buy to let properties and second homes risks damaging the ability of housebuilders to construct new homes.
63% of those eligible intend to take advantage of Help to Buy ISAs
Posted on Friday, December 4, 2015
With the Government’s Help to Buy ISAs now launched, new insight from MoneySuperMarket reveals 63% of prospective homeowners plan to take advantage of these new tax free accounts to help get them on the housing ladder.
2014 stamp duty change saves buyers £1.9bn
Posted on Friday, December 4, 2015
UK homebuyers have saved £1.9bn in stamp duty since it was reformed from a slab to progressive structure in December 2014, My Home Move data has revealed.
£4,600 will be the average cost of raising buy to let stamp duty
Posted on Friday, December 4, 2015
Buy to let landlords would have to pay an extra £4,565 per property purchase in the first three quarters of 2015 if the Chancellor’s 3% stamp duty rise was already in effect, Kensington analysis has revealed.
NAEA: First time buyer sales are at highest level in six years
Posted on Friday, December 4, 2015
First-time buyer sales hit a 6-year high in October to account for nearly a third (31%) of all sales, according to the National Association of Estate Agents’ October Housing Market Report.
New housing starts recovering
Posted on Monday, November 23, 2015
Housing starts recovered in quarter three, reversing some of the drop in activity seen in the second quarter, official figures show.
CML: Gross mortgage lending hits a seven year high
Posted on Monday, November 23, 2015
Gross lending hit its highest level in over seven years in October, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders
TUC: Cost of housing blamed for increased commuting
Posted on Monday, November 23, 2015
The number of commuters spending more than two hours travelling to and from work has increased by 72% over the past 10 years - with high house prices the major factor.
Market Update
Posted on Monday, November 23, 2015
Chris Harper and Darren Murphy give their views on the property market
Building societies to review mortgage age limits
Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2015
The building society sector has committed to reviewing the maximum age limits for mortgage borrowers.
Rightmove say house price rises will continue next year
Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2015
According to Rightmove, the average asking price of a property new to the market is now £292,572, down 1.3% from October but up 6.2% on a year ago
Value of UK housing stock doubles over past decade
Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Halifax has revealed that the value of the UK's private housing stock has risen by 53% over the past decade from c£3.3 trillion in 2005 to c£5.1 trillion in August 2015.
Digital homes add value
Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2015
A Digital Homes Report by Barclays Mortgages reveals that almost a third of home owners surveyed online believe installing technology in their home will increase its value.
NAEA: Top tips to sell your home during the winter
Posted on Monday, November 9, 2015
The National Association of Estate Agents top tips for those looking to sell their property during winter are as follows:
CML: One in three homes are bought with cash
Posted on Monday, November 9, 2015
Approximately one in three homes are now bought with cash – the highest level for over 60 years.
Public expect house prices to rise
Posted on Monday, November 9, 2015
68% of Brits expected house prices to rise in the next 12 months in the third quarter of 2015, the Halifax Housing Market Confidence Tracker reveals.
Second steppers rely on the Bank of Mum and Dad
Posted on Monday, November 9, 2015
The Bank of Mum and Dad is no longer being relied upon solely by first-time buyers – as second steppers are depending on their parents to make the first move up the housing ladder.
Equity release: Pensioners cash in on property
Posted on Monday, November 9, 2015
Pensioners are boosting retirement incomes by an average £74,787 by cashing in on rising property prices, analysis from leading over-55s financial provider Key Retirement shows.
Landlords: Beware of winter void periods
Posted on Monday, November 9, 2015
Landlords should be wary of leaving their homes empty in the winter as the weather could lead to problems such as damp and mould, the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks has warned.
Over-55s wealth to double by 2035
Posted on Monday, November 9, 2015
The value of property owned by over-55s in England is set to double to almost £2.5 trillion by 2035, research from Age Partnership has revealed.
Government to toughen up on HMO rogue landlords
Posted on Monday, November 9, 2015
The government plans to extend and toughen up HMO licencing to tackle rogue landlords and overcrowded housing in 2016.
Restricting appeal of buy to let mortgages will push up rents, warn lenders
Posted on Monday, November 9, 2015
Measures which discourage investment in the private rented sector can only push up rents and harm tenants more than landlords, a report from the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association warns.
First-time buyers need £50,000 income to get on the property ladder
Posted on Monday, November 9, 2015
New research by Gocompare.com claims that first-time buyers need on average a minimum household income of £50,000 to purchase a house in the UK.
Office of National Statistics: UK rent rises 2.7%
Posted on Monday, November 2, 2015
The latest report from The Office for National Statistics on private housing rental prices has found that over the last 12 months up to September 2015, private rental prices paid by tenants in Great Britain have risen by 2.7%.
House prices up 3.9% says Nationwide Building Society
Posted on Monday, November 2, 2015
Number of new homes fell in quarter three although up during the year
Posted on Monday, November 2, 2015
Housebuilding registrations fell by 2% in Q3 2015 year on year despite the government’s pledge to boost housing supply, figures from the National House Building Council (NHBC) reveal.
Market Update
Posted on Saturday, October 24, 2015
Chris Harper and Darren Murphy give their views on the current property market
George Osborne says tougher buy-to-let regulation coming
Posted on Saturday, October 24, 2015
The Chancellor, George Osborne, has said that the Bank of England was likely to receive the powers it had asked for to regulate the mortgages which small landlords use to buy properties.
Mortgage market breaks through the £20bn barrier in September
Posted on Saturday, October 24, 2015
Gross mortgage lending reached £20bn in September 2015 the Council of Mortgage Lenders has estimated.
Right to Rent to commence in February 2016
Posted on Saturday, October 24, 2015
The Government has announced that from 1 February 2016 all private landlords in England will have to check new tenants have the right to be in the UK before renting out their property.
Inquiry by MPs into rental energy efficiency
Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2015
The All Party Parliamentary Group for the private rented sector has launched an inquiry into the energy efficiency of private rented housing.
UK pensioners more reliant on their homes than anywhere else in Europe
Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2015
UK pensioners are more reliant on their homes than in any other European nation, a report from Dutch banking group ING has revealed.
The annual cost of home ownership to reach £15,300
Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2015
The average annual cost of being a homeowner is set to reach £15,300 this year, Legal & General’s Home Truths research predicts.
HMRC generates over £50m of extra tax from private rental sector
Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2015
A campaign targeting residential landlords has given HM Revenue and Customs an additional tax take of over £50 million.
Men are from Mars and women are from Venus when it comes to choosing a home
Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2015
Women looking to buy a home are most concerned about the space within a property, while men’s decisions are governed by the home’s location, research from Santander reveals.
Government aim to generate more new homes by clamping down on slow planners
Posted on Saturday, October 17, 2015
The government is telling councils to produce local plans for new homes in their area by 2017 – or Whitehall will ensure those plans are produced for them.
20% year on year increase in house purchase mortgage lending
Posted on Monday, October 12, 2015
New data from Chartered Surveyors e.surv has found that over the last twelve months, the number of house purchase mortgage approvals has reached a twenty-month high and risen by 19.8%.
RICS: Rents will rise 3.0% in 2016 as demand continues to outstrip supply
Posted on Monday, October 12, 2015
Average rents have risen for 10 months in a row according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors - and there's every sign that it will continue into 2016.
80% of tenants like their landlord
Posted on Monday, October 5, 2015
Research commissioned by Paragon Mortgages reveals positive attitudes among tenants towards private renting.
First time buyer house prices outpace rest of market
Posted on Monday, October 5, 2015
UK property prices have risen 7.3% annually to reach an average of £219,315
Over 15,000 mortgage products to choose from!
Posted on Monday, October 5, 2015
According to new data released by Mortgage Advice Bureau, the total number of mortgage products has passed 15,000 for the first time since the recession.
Volumes of property transactions hit (seasonally adjusted) summer high
Posted on Monday, October 5, 2015
Residential property sales in the UK hit an 18-month high in August, following a 3.1 per cent month-on-month rise, the latest figures published by HMRC have revealed.
Homeowners more optimistic about the UK economy than renters
Posted on Monday, October 5, 2015
Homeowners are more confident in the state of the UK economy and their own finances than renters, the latest Lloyds Bank Spending Power Report has revealed.
NLA survey says majority of landlords won't use pension freedom to invest
Posted on Sunday, September 27, 2015
A report from The National Landlords Association (NLA) shows that the majority of landlords don’t plan to take advantage of pension freedoms to invest in property.
Significant increase in buy to let sales says report
Posted on Sunday, September 27, 2015
Buy to let sales in August 2015 were up by 54.1% compared to the corresponding month last year hitting £3.31bn, research from Equifax Touchstone shows.
Market Update
Posted on Sunday, September 27, 2015
Chris Harper and Darren Murphy give their views on the current property market.
Over half of borrowers say they will struggle when mortgage rates rise
Posted on Sunday, September 27, 2015
52% of borrowers say they will struggle or fall behind with mortgage repayments when interest rates rise, according to a new survey by the Building Societies Association.
60% increase in the price of flats over the last decade
Posted on Sunday, September 27, 2015
Halifax research has revealed that the average price of a flat has risen £730 per month over the past decade from £145,874 in 2005 to £233,424 today.
Nine million renters feel that home ownership is a distant dream
Posted on Saturday, September 19, 2015
Nine million UK renters (45%) say they will never be able to afford their own home, according to the latest Post Office Money Mortgages survey.
Lasting Power of Attorney vital say property lawyers
Posted on Saturday, September 19, 2015
A property solicitors’ practice says buy to let investors who intend using their property to fund some, or all, of their retirement should have a property Lasting Power of Attorney created before they reach retirement age.
Number of first time landlords on the increase
Posted on Saturday, September 19, 2015
The latest research from the Nottingham Building Society has found that almost 1 in 5 (19%) of landlords plan to buy more properties and add to their portfolio.
Seven million over 50s still paying a mortgage
Posted on Saturday, September 19, 2015
Research by the Saga Equity Release Advice Service has highlighted that around seven million over 50s are still paying off their mortgage, with dreams of holidays and new cars fading fast.
Huge reduction in house building within the green belt
Posted on Saturday, September 19, 2015
The number of homes built within the green belt surrounding our towns and cities has halved over the last twenty years, according to research from Countrywide.
Strong recovery in lending to second steppers
Posted on Saturday, September 19, 2015
Gross mortgage lending to second steppers and home movers rose strongly in July, to its highest level since October 2007, according to figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders
£41,000 premium to live near top rated schools
Posted on Monday, September 7, 2015
On average, parents pay a £41,000 premium to buy a house near one of England’s top secondary schools, say Lloyds Bank.
Government should encourage downsizing say CML
Posted on Monday, September 7, 2015
The government's planning system should be reformed so older borrowers have an incentive to free up family homes, says the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ chief economist Bob Pannell.
Over 1,000 buy to let mortgages now available
Posted on Tuesday, September 1, 2015
The number of buy to let mortgages available in the market has hit 1,000 which is the highest level since 2008..
Supply of rental property increases
Posted on Tuesday, September 1, 2015
The number of available private rented properties rose in July, according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).
Half a million people intend to use pension to repay mortgage
Posted on Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Over half a million people in the UK intend to use all or part of their pension to help repay their mortgage balance, reveals new research from specialist insurer Partnership.
Good news as arrears and repossessions fall again
Posted on Monday, August 24, 2015
According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the repossession rate - already at its lowest since records began - continued to fall in the second quarter of 2015. During that period, the rate was 0.02% - equivalent to just 1 in 5,000 mortgages. Arrears also continued to fall.
How long does it take to choose a new home?
Posted on Monday, August 24, 2015
Research shows that a third of house hunters spend almost three months browsing the property market before deciding on their new home.
Nearly 40% of Right to Buy homes have ended up in private rental sector
Posted on Monday, August 24, 2015
Nearly 40% of all homes sold under Right To Buy in England have gone on to become buy to let investment properties.
Modern kitchens, private parking and gardens top list of “desirability” factors according to survey
Posted on Monday, August 24, 2015
A modern or open plan kitchen, off-street parking and a back garden are the features most likely to make a home ‘more desirable’ to potential buyers, according to research from property portal OnTheMarket.com.
Rise in popularity for 30+ year mortgage deals
Posted on Monday, August 24, 2015
The proportion of homebuyers searching for mortgages with terms of 30 years or more has risen 8% to 21% over the past year.
Market Update
Posted on Monday, August 24, 2015
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the current property market
£26 million confirmed by Government for new first time buyer homes
Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Communities secretary Greg Clark has announced a £26 million fund for house builders to build starter homes for first-time buyers.
Affordability at risk of creating housing market stalemate say Experian
Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015
The UK housing market is at risk of a stalemate as growing families in most parts of the country face unaffordable increases in mortgage size if they want to move up the property ladder, say Experian.
40% of 55 to 64 year olds banking on property wealth to fund their retirement
Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015
New research from more 2 life shows that 40% of homeowners in the run-up to retirement are now relying on their property wealth as part of their planning.
Re-mortgage lending rising
Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015
House purchase lending hit £20.1 billion in June 2015, up 25% on May and up 13% on June 2014 while re-mortgage figures finally started to recover, say the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
Buy to let mortgage lending enjoys another strong month say CML
Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015
The rise of buy to let lending continues apace with the latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders showing another increase in activity.
Research shows properties on 'Lanes' worth £100k more than 'Streets'
Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Properties situated on ‘Lanes’ are worth over £100,000 more than those on a ‘Street’ according to new research by Barclays Mortgages.
Landlords unperturbed by buy to let mortgage tax relief cuts
Posted on Thursday, August 6, 2015
The vast majority of landlords are unperturbed by the cuts in buy to let tax relief announced in the summer budget with just 10% planning to sell up as a result, Barclays has said.
London: The cost of property vs the cost of commuting
Posted on Thursday, August 6, 2015
London commuters typically save £450,000 on the cost of buying homes one hour away from the capital by rail, research from Lloyds Bank has found.
ONS: Rents continue to rise
Posted on Thursday, August 6, 2015
Private rents paid by tenants in Great Britain rose by 2.5% in the 12 months to June 2015, official figures from the Office for National Statistics show.
NAEA: June sees potential buyers at eleven year high
Posted on Thursday, August 6, 2015
According to the National Association of Estate Agents, the number of potential buyers registered per estate agency branch was the highest recorded in eleven years.
Huge increase in planning consents
Posted on Thursday, August 6, 2015
Figures released by HBF and Glenigan’s latest Housing Pipeline report show planning permissions for 52,167 homes were granted in England during the first quarter of this year, a 19% increase on the 43,926 permissions in the same quarter in 2014.
Demand for smaller homes rises as asking prices reach a new high
Posted on Sunday, July 26, 2015
Market Update
Posted on Sunday, July 26, 2015
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the current property market
The art, or lack of it, of moving home
Posted on Sunday, July 26, 2015
A survey by London removals and storage firm Kiwi Movers shows that 25% of us pack unwanted clutter that we’ll never use when moving house and over half still have unpacking to do ten months after moving into a new home.
£300 billion of property wealth lies with the over 55’s
Posted on Sunday, July 26, 2015
Over-55 homeowners have some £300 billion of property wealth they could draw upon in retirement, says research from Retirement Advantage.
The average UK home increases in value by £7000 in first half of year
Posted on Sunday, July 26, 2015
The average value of homes across Britain rose by almost £7,000 (2.7%) during the first six months of 2015, data from property website Zoopla reveals.
Huge increase in investment in student lettings sector
Posted on Sunday, July 26, 2015
Investment into the country’s student housing market hit £3.98 billion in the first half 2015, well ahead of the £2.35 billion recorded for the whole of 2014, say property consultancy CBRE.
Renters to outstrip mortgagors by 2025 say Pricewaterhouse Cooper (PwC)
Posted on Sunday, July 26, 2015
A report from PwC says that renters will outnumber mortgagors in a decade due to a lack of supply and tighter mortgage affordability criteria.
Energy efficiency countdown begins for landlords
Posted on Monday, July 20, 2015
New legislation has recently been passed that will make it easier for tenants to rent more energy efficient properties.
Equity release market continues to boom
Posted on Friday, July 17, 2015
Equity release lending surged 17 per cent in the first six months of 2015, new research suggests.
Right to Rent rules to be enforced nationwide autumn 2015
Posted on Friday, July 17, 2015
At present, new rules for Landlords to check the immigration status of their tenants are being piloted in the areas of Birmingham, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley and Wolverhampton.
Half a million are property millionaires
Posted on Friday, July 17, 2015
More than half a million homeowners now own property worth £1m, the Zoopla Property Rich List report has revealed.
Rents up everywhere as new tenants flock to cities
Posted on Friday, July 17, 2015
HomeLet’s rental index figures for June shows another rise with average rents outside of London now standing at £747 per month, with the capital coming in at £1,515 per month.
Open House - 18th July - Kingsmill Cottage
Posted on Tuesday, July 14, 2015
A beautiful and unique Grade ll listed executive home found at the entrance to the Willowbank and sought after Kings Island development.
First Time Buyer mortgage products hit highest level since 2007
Posted on Monday, July 13, 2015
First-time buyer mortgage products have soared to their highest level since 2007 with the number of 90% and 95% loan-to-value mortgages now totalling 723 products, Moneyfacts data shows.
Tie the knot or buy some bricks and mortar?
Posted on Monday, July 13, 2015
You grow up, get married, buy a house and have 2.4 children. At least that's how things used to work. These days an increasing number of young (and indeed not so young) couples are having to make a choice between their dream wedding day and their dream of owning their own home.
Government to reform planning permissions
Posted on Monday, July 13, 2015
The government plans to reform brownfield planning permission rules in a bid to boost housebuilding across the UK.
43% of landlords say demand is booming
Posted on Monday, July 6, 2015
New research by Paragon Mortgages has found that continued growth in the BTL market is rife in the second quarter, with 43% of landlords experiencing a rise in tenant demand.
First-time buyer numbers down
Posted on Monday, July 6, 2015
Research from Halifax showed 10,000 fewer people have taken a step onto the property ladder so far this year compared with 149,500 in the same period last year.
Owner (and under) occupied homes: what do the numbers show?
Posted on Monday, July 6, 2015
People renting their home were nearly four times more likely to live in overcrowded conditions than owner-occupiers, according to data emerging from the 2011 census.
More new homes given planning permission than before crash
Posted on Monday, July 6, 2015
The numbers of new homes granted planning permission are now higher than before the 2008 economic crash.
Council for Mortgage Lenders to investigate lending into retirement
Posted on Monday, July 6, 2015
The Council of Mortgage Lenders has begun work to measure the impact the Mortgage Market Review has had on borrowers who want a mortgage past the age of retirement.
Market Update
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2015
Chris Harper and Darren Murphy give their views on the currnet property market
More buy-to-let deals for first-time landlords
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2015
The number of buy-to-let mortgage deals available to novice landlords is on the rise, according to Moneyfacts.
'Pension freedom' landlords behind buy to let boom
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2015
Analysis by financial services comparison website Moneyfacts suggests that since so-called ‘pension freedom’ was introduced in the spring the number of buy-to-let products available to first-time landlords has risen by 13 per cent, up from 574 in April to 664 today.
1 in 4 cites low rates as reason for moving
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2015
The latest research from the Nottingham Building Society has found that around one in four homeowners planning to move in the next six months said that rate reductions were the driving factor behind their decision.
Conveyancer optimism rises
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2015
Conveyancers are growing more optimistic in the state of the housing market, SearchFlow’s Conveyancer Sentiment Survey has found.
Would-be buyers confident on mortgage repayment
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2015
Keeping up with monthly mortgage repayments is becoming less of a problem for people wanting to buy a home, the Building Societies Association has suggested.
Average tenancy is almost three years, study finds
Posted on Friday, June 19, 2015
An industry study reports that the average tenancy length is now almost three years.
Rents rising across UK
Posted on Friday, June 19, 2015
Rents in every region of the UK rose for the first time since October 2014 with new tenancies agreed in London scaling £1,500 per month for the first time in May, the HomeLet Rental Index suggests.
House prices hit new highs
Posted on Friday, June 19, 2015
Six out of ten regions across the UK set new record house price highs as the supply and demand imbalance continued to march north, Rightmove has revealed.
Mortgages for house purchase down 10% in a year
Posted on Friday, June 19, 2015
Monthly lending for house purchase in April was 10% down on the same month last year.
Location, location, location key for buyers
Posted on Friday, June 19, 2015
Homebuyers are increasingly sacrificing space for location with fewer people seeing the need for a garage, south-facing garden and private outdoor space than a year ago, Santander research shows.
First time buyers have never had it so good
Posted on Monday, June 8, 2015
New analysis from MoneySuperMarket has found that mortgage rates for first time buyers are at a three year low.
Drop in house sales, Land Registry reports
Posted on Monday, June 8, 2015
The Land Registry has reported a big drop in sales.
Help to Buy approaches 100,000 mark
Posted on Monday, June 8, 2015
Help to Buy has helped nearly 100,000 people buy a home in the two years since it launched.
Stamp Duty changes save buyers over £700m
Posted on Monday, June 8, 2015
Home buyers have saved £701m in the six months since the introduction of the Stamp Duty Land Tax reforms on December 4, conveyancing firm myhomemove has calculated.
Cash buyers of homes at their highest ever at almost four in ten
Posted on Monday, June 8, 2015
A record number of people who bought homes in the first quarter of this year were cash buyers.
Fast internet is student rental priority
Posted on Monday, June 8, 2015
A new report ‘What Students Seek’ has surveyed students around the country to gauge what is most important when considering a property to rent.
UK homes need insulation law
Posted on Monday, June 8, 2015
The government should introduce legislation to ensure all UK homes have proper insulation to end ‘fuel poverty’ where energy is wasted says an independent engineering society.
Number of borrowers using equity release to clear interest-only loans trebles
Posted on Monday, June 8, 2015
The number of borrowers using equity release as a means of paying off an interest-only mortgage has trebled since the Mortgage Market Review was introduced, says Age Partnership.
More than three-quarters of new households in private rented sector
Posted on Monday, June 1, 2015
In a new snapshot of Britain, it has emerged that over three-quarters of all new UK households are being created in the private rented sector.
Two-thirds of landlords now planning to buy new BTL properties
Posted on Monday, June 1, 2015
Private rented sector to account for 20% of housing stock by 2020
Posted on Monday, June 1, 2015
The private rented sector is expected to grow by 700,000 households to 5.5 million by 2020, accounting for 20 per cent of the total housing stock.
Market Update
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the current property market
First-timers delaying house purchase
Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2015
First-time buyers are having to wait longer than planned to take their first step onto the property ladder, research from Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks claims.
Government should do more with empty homes
Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Young people want to see the government devolve more power to local authorities to tackle empty homes, refurbishing them and getting them back in use, Halifax research has claimed.
Another huge surge in buy to let lending
Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders show there were 18,200 buy to let loans in March - up 12 per cent on the previous month and up a whopping 21 per cent compared to March 2014.
Starving market of supply – the households that stay put for years
Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Households are moving home much less often – often waiting two or three decades – and starving the market of supply.
Government fails to promote housing wealth
Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2015
The government has failed to promote the role of housing wealth in retirement funding said experts and financial professionals at the Great Retirement Money Debate hosted by the Equity Release Council.
Housebuilding recovery 'gathers momentum': HBF
Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Official statistics show that 40,340 new homes were started in England in Q1 of this year, the highest quarterly number since 2007. The figures show that the momentum from 2014, which saw 137,310 new homes started, up 10% on 2013 and 60% on the trough in 2009, is gathering speed.
Promotion for Kayleigh
Posted on Monday, May 25, 2015
We are delighted to announce that Kayleigh Arnold has been promoted to Senior Negotiator in our sales operation
Help to Buy 2 far off capacity
Posted on Monday, May 18, 2015
The Help to Buy mortgage guarantee is a long way off running at full capacity, Genworth analysis has found.
UK landlords seeking more remortgages
Posted on Monday, May 18, 2015
Buy-to-let landlords are rushing to remortgage as record low rates look increasingly attractive, new data from a mortgage broker shows.
UK Help to Buy Schemes Continue to Benefit First Time Buyers
Posted on Monday, May 18, 2015
The UK’s flagship housing schemes aimed at boosting the property market continue to flourish with first time buyers benefitting the most, the latest published data shows.
Arrears and repossessions numbers fall
Posted on Monday, May 18, 2015
Mortgage arrears and repossessions are falling across both owner-occupier and buy-to-let lending.
Landlords urged to act now on new fire regulations
Posted on Monday, May 11, 2015
New regulations requiring landlords to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their rental properties have been laid before Parliament and are expected to come into force, subject to approval, on 10 October 2015.
New housing registrations up 18% year-on-year
Posted on Monday, May 11, 2015
New house building figures released today by NHBC for Q1 2015 show that more than 40,000 new homes were registered in the UK during the first three months of the year, an increase of 18% on the same period last year.
Buy to Let investors “don't know how to apply”
Posted on Monday, May 11, 2015
One in four potential buy-to-let customers don't know how to apply for a mortgage to get started, new research shows.
Agents and developers make Build to Rent plea
Posted on Monday, May 11, 2015
Around 40 developers, property consultants and block managers have sent an open letter to the new government to create economic and planning conditions which will allow the growth of the Build To Rent sector.
Mortgage Market Review continues to frustrate customers
Posted on Monday, May 11, 2015
According to a recent survey conducted by gocompare.com, just 59% of people who recently switched their mortgage provider described the process as ‘easy’, a drop of 11% compared to July 2014 when the same survey was carried out.
British Property Federation: Build homes to rent not sell
Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Britain must build large rented housing schemes run by institutional investors rather than focusing solely on building new homes for sale, a campaign group has claimed.
Transactions drop across England and Wales, says Land Registry
Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2015
The average house price in March stood at £178,007 across England and Wales – a monthly drop of 0.8%.
Help to Buy customers £180 better off annually than renters
Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2015
According to new data from Mortgage Advice Bureau, first-time buyers who have used the Government’s Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme are spending £180 less per year on repaying their mortgage than if they were renting.
Over 40s most likely to become first-time landlords
Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2015
According to a new survey by Rentguard Insurance, between 40 and 49 years old is the most common age for those becoming a landlord for the first time.
Landlords fail to take all costs into account for Buy to Let
Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2015
UK landlords are at risk of overestimating the profitability of their buy-to-let investment by neglecting to take into account key running costs, according to research by a property firm.
We can’t build all the homes the politicians want, say house builders
Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Over two-thirds of house builders believe that it would be impossible to build any more than 180,000 homes a year – short of the 200,000 that Labour, the Liberal Democrats and UKIP have all pledged to deliver.
One in four landlords consider using pension lump sum
Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2015
One in four landlords would consider using a lump sum from their pension to invest in property, with a further 24% undecided, research from BM Solutions shows
Buy-to-let outpacing residential growth
Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Analysis from Equifax Touchstone shows that buy-to-let lending in Q1 2015 grew by nearly 20% year-on-year, outpacing residential lending which was up by 1.6%.
Report says one bed flats have highest yield
Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2015
The average rental yield for a one-bed property across the UK is 5.9% compared to 5.3% for a two-bed, 4.7% for a three-bed and 4.0% for a four-bed property.
New report says owners move house 'only once every 23 years'
Posted on Thursday, April 23, 2015
The changing face of the UK’s housing market means the average turnover of a property has almost trebled since the 1980s from eight to 23 years, according to the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association.
Pension saving concerns for one in five
Posted on Thursday, April 23, 2015
Up to 45% of over-40s ‘would consider’ buy-to-let to increase retirement income
Buy-to-let market continues to thrive
Posted on Thursday, April 23, 2015
The Bank of England Trends in Lending report for April shows that the buy-to-let sector has continued to grow in 2015.
Gross mortgage lending grows in March
Posted on Thursday, April 23, 2015
The Council of Mortgage Lenders estimates that gross mortgage lending reached £16.5bn billion in March. This is a 21% rise on February at £13.6bn and 7% higher than last year.
Market Update – too close to call?
Posted on Thursday, April 23, 2015
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the property market as we enter the final days before the General Election
Help to Buy 2 deposits reach 10-month high
Posted on Thursday, April 16, 2015
The average deposit for house purchases using the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme reached a 10-month high in February, according to Mortgage Advice Bureau.
Official statistics show house prices cooling
Posted on Thursday, April 16, 2015
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show house prices cooling.
Buy to let mortgages: steady rise year on year
Posted on Thursday, April 16, 2015
There were 15,900 buy to let loans in February, down 13% compared to January but up 11% on the total a year earlier, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
Market optimism returns
Posted on Monday, April 6, 2015
Optimism in the housing market is rising – as more than a third (36%) see now as a good time to buy, the Building Societies Association has revealed.
New home registrations continue to increase
Posted on Monday, April 6, 2015
According to figures released by NHBC, the number of new homes registered in the UK in February grew by 25% compared to the same month last year.
The things your parents will throw out when you leave home
Posted on Monday, April 6, 2015
According to a new study from Big Yellow Self Storage, parents throw out possessions worth £285 when a child grows up and leaves the family home.
HMRC campaign takes £20m in letting sector tax
Posted on Monday, April 6, 2015
The HMRC ‘Let Property’ campaign recovered just over £20m by the end of January - a dramatic rise from the October 2014 figure which stood at just £7.9 million.
Deregulation Bill receives Royal Assent
Posted on Monday, April 6, 2015
The Deregulation Bill has received Royal Assent so now is the time for all landlords to ensure that their properties will be compliant with the new laws regarding both deposit protection and revenge evictions.
First time buyers account for a third of all house sales
Posted on Monday, April 6, 2015
The National Association of Estate Agents has highlighted that 30% of house sales in February were made to those who are just starting to climb the property ladder.
Pensioner property wealth hits record high
Posted on Monday, April 6, 2015
Retired homeowners in the UK now collectively own property worth £861 billion with their total property wealth increasing by more than £33 billion in the past six months, the equivalent of around £1,200 a month each.
Stamp Duty changes save homebuyers £1bn
Posted on Monday, April 6, 2015
More than two thirds of homebuyers across the UK are likely to benefit from the new Stamp Duty regime, with 29% seeing no change and just 2% likely to pay more, data produced by Nationwide reveals.
Which of the major housing policies are most important to UK homeowners?
Posted on Monday, April 6, 2015
The General Election is looming. One of the key points in the battleground is housing and the main political parties have been quick to lay out their promises before us hoping to swing our votes their way.
First-time buyers try before they buy
Posted on Monday, April 6, 2015
Over half (54%) of the nation’s first-time buyers like to rent before taking the house buying plunge, an annual survey from Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks has revealed.
Health and safety law change for all home improvements
Posted on Monday, April 6, 2015
From April 6th, for health and safety purposes, domestic projects will be treated in the same way as large new housing developments or the construction of shopping centres or office blocks
Custom build could be key to getting housebuilding back on track
Posted on Monday, April 6, 2015
A new report from Mortgage Advice Bureau has revealed that custom build could be the key to getting UK housebuilding back on track, saying that radical change is required to deliver the number of new homes needed to meet population demand.
Borrowers flock to variable deals
Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2015
More borrowers plumped for variable deals in February than any month over the last two years on a proportional basis, the Mortgage Advice Bureau’s National Mortgage Index has revealed.
Tories eye property IHT overhaul
Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2015
Chancellor George Osborne is considering reforms that would allow parents to pass a main property worth up to £1m to their children without paying inheritance tax, The Guardian reports.
Sub-letting clause could spell trouble for landlords
Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2015
“Allowing sub-letting will be catastrophic for the rental industry” says Landlord Action.
Void periods drop to 13 year low
Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2015
The latest landlord research by Paragon Mortgages has revealed the average annual void period has dropped to its lowest level since 2002.
Market Update
Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2015
Chris Harper and Darren Murphy give their views on the current property market
Landlords: Make Green Deal applications now
Posted on Monday, March 16, 2015
The Residential Landlords Association is reminding investment property owners in the private rental sector that the government has launched the latest phase of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund.
Home Builders Federation urge Chancellor to accelerate increase in housebuilding
Posted on Monday, March 16, 2015
The Home Builders Federation has used its submission to next week’s Budget to request measures to help boost the delivery of much needed housing by introducing a package of measures to move sites more quickly through the development process and give a shot in the arm to small house builders.
Buy to Let (BTL) sector braces itself for a silver landlord surge
Posted on Monday, March 16, 2015
As pension freedom day draws closer, the UK buy-to-let sector is bracing itself for a surge of silver landlords ready to put their pensions into property.
Smoke alarms mandatory in rental property from October
Posted on Monday, March 16, 2015
The government has confirmed that letting agents and landlords will be required by law to install working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties from October 2015.
Stamp duty revenue at record levels
Posted on Monday, March 16, 2015
Higher volumes of residential property transactions and an increase in their prices are believed to be behind record breaking stamp duty revenues say the Halifax.
High loan to value (LTV) lending bounces back
Posted on Monday, March 16, 2015
High LTV mortgage lending has drastically increased as a percentage of market since December when Stamp Duty was reformed, the latest Mortgage Monitor from e.surv has revealed.
20% off starter home prices if Tories win election
Posted on Monday, March 16, 2015
The government has announced that its new starter home website has officially launched allowing young people to register their interest in buying a new home.
Tories pledge 200,000 starter homes
Posted on Monday, March 9, 2015
David Cameron has doubled his 100,000 homes pledge, vowing to deliver 200,000 properties for first-time buyers in England by 2020 under the Starter Homes initiative if the Conservatives win the election.
First time buyers will be hit by H2B2 closure say IMLA
Posted on Monday, March 9, 2015
Failing to replace the Help to Buy 2 mortgage guarantee with a permanent indemnity scheme will push the first-time buyer market back into decline, according to new research by the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association.
Chinese buyers set to increase spend in UK housing market
Posted on Monday, March 9, 2015
Chinese international property portal Juwai says that Chinese investment in the UK housing market is set to grow this year.
Housebuilding decline averted by Help to Buy
Posted on Monday, March 9, 2015
According to new analysis by Mortgage Advice Bureau, HTB1 helped to prevent a drop of 5% in new housing completions in England last year.
More than 1.75m mortgaged households have never seen interest rates rise
Posted on Monday, March 9, 2015
The Money Charity has warned that more than 1.75m mortgaged households have never experienced a rise in the Bank of England base rate, putting them at risk of a financial shock when rates do increase.
First time buyers no longer relying on parents
Posted on Monday, March 9, 2015
The number of first-time buyers relying on the Bank of Mum and Dad for support has dropped significantly according to new research.
Help to Buy schemes help over 80,000 people buy a home
Posted on Monday, March 9, 2015
The Help to Buy equity loan and mortgage guarantee schemes have helped more than 80,000 people buy a home.
MP blames landlords for anti-social tenants
Posted on Monday, March 9, 2015
Nick de Bois, MP for Enfield North, has tabled a ten-minute rule bill in the Houses of Commons in a bid to change the law to allow the housing ombudsman to intervene between neighbours and landlords.
Market Update
Posted on Thursday, February 26, 2015
Christopher Harper and Darren Murphy give their views on the current property market
Huge rise in buy to let mortgage loans
Posted on Monday, February 23, 2015
Buy to let mortgages in December totalled 17,300 - a huge 18 per cent rise over the same month in 2013 according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
What are the top sacrifices made to get on the property ladder?
Posted on Monday, February 23, 2015
For many people owning their own home is a dream they are determined to make a reality.
Mortgage lending down 11% year on year in January
Posted on Monday, February 23, 2015
Gross mortgage lending is estimated to have fallen 11 per cent year-on-year in January.
Challenging time for young tenants, says think tank
Posted on Monday, February 23, 2015
The Institute for Fiscal Studies says that while mortgage-paying owner occupiers and landlords have benefitted hugely from low interest rates, renters - especially young ones - have had no such respite in the lettings market.
Housing sales up 21% say Lloyds Bank
Posted on Monday, February 23, 2015
Home sales increased by 21% in the first 10 months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, research from Lloyds Bank has revealed.
Repossessions down 26% in 2014 say CML
Posted on Monday, February 16, 2015
The Council for Mortgage Lenders has revealed that during 2014 the level of repossessions fell to their lowest numbers since 2006, a drop of 26% against figures from 2013.
Carney warns of potential future rate cuts as deflation looms
Posted on Monday, February 16, 2015
Bank of England governor Mark Carney says inflation could turn negative in the Spring and warns he would consider cutting interest rates if deflation persists.
Parliamentary support for ban on revenge evictions
Posted on Monday, February 16, 2015
A long and technical debate in the House of Lords last evening ended with amendments to the Deregulation Bill being passed which are likely to lead to the outlawing of so-called retaliatory evictions.
Mortgage wars continue as home buyers find cheapest deals ever
Posted on Monday, February 16, 2015
Mortgage rates have plunged to new record lows, the Bank of England has reported, while the price war between lenders shows no sign of a let-up.
Bank of England's new powers to help manage housing market
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2015
The government is giving the Bank of England new powers over the housing market in a bid to prevent excessive price booms and equally excessive lending by banks.
Energy change could cost lettings sector £3.4 billion over next three years
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2015
A utility supplier claims that the cost of making rental properties conform with new energy efficiency rules is likely to be £3.4 billion over the next three years.
The fire service calls for all private landlords to install smoke alarms
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2015
New laws must be introduced to ensure all private landlords install smoke alarms, say fire and rescue authorities.
Council for Mortgage Lenders: Mortgage rates reach new lows - and the outlook remains positive
Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Last November, the average new tracker mortgage rate fell to 1.96%, according to the regulated mortgage survey – the first time that it has ever dipped below 2%. For fixed-rate borrowers, it’s the same picture, with some lenders offering the lowest long-term rates the market has ever seen.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) report that private rents rose 1.7% in the 12 months to December.
Posted on Monday, February 2, 2015
Rents rose most in London at 2.4%. They increased by 1.8% in England, 2% in Scotland and 0.2% in Wales.
Mortgage approvals up for first time in six months, says Bank of England
Posted on Monday, February 2, 2015
Mortgage approvals rose for the first time in six months in December.
Landlords face ticking time-bomb of energy compliance
Posted on Monday, February 2, 2015
Landlords are at risk of financial penalties and being unable to let their properties if they fail to meet minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) that come into play in 2018.
Build to Rent key to boosting supply, say MPs
Posted on Monday, February 2, 2015
A body chaired by two ex-housing ministers and sponsored by a bank has entered the debate on how to increase the supply of new homes across the country and keep house price inflaton under control as a result.
Ultra-low voids still normal in buy to let sector
Posted on Monday, February 2, 2015
The average void period for landlords over the past three months has been just 2.6 weeks - the lowest in 2014 and continuing a record run of low-void activity in the rental market.
Housing costs eat up over 50% of earnings for one in eight
Posted on Monday, February 2, 2015
According to new findings from the Debt Advisory Centre, 12% of those who currently have a mortgage or pay rent in the UK are spending most of their take-home pay on keeping a roof over their head.
West Bromwich Building Society: Landlords lose case
Posted on Monday, February 2, 2015
A judge has ruled that the West Bromwich building society was within its rights to increase rates on tracker mortgages despite no change in the Bank of England base rate.
Crossrail submits plans for improved West Drayton station
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2015
The plans include a new glass and steel extension and lifts providing step-free access to all platforms.
Hillingdon Council approves Airports Commission response against Heathrow expansion
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2015
The council says the airport's proposals are 'fulled of hollow promises and gaping holes, lacking any realistic assessment'.
Market Update
Posted on Monday, January 26, 2015
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the current property market.
UK government finalises new capital gains tax charge for non-resident homeowners
Posted on Monday, January 26, 2015
Non-resident UK homeowners that have spent less than 90 days in their UK property in the previous tax year will be liable to pay capital gains tax (CGT) on any gains when they sell that property from next year, the UK government has confirmed.
West Bromwich Building Society in court over rate hike
Posted on Monday, January 26, 2015
The long-awaited court case over increased tracker rates by the West Bromwich Building Society began in January.
Immigration Act 2014. When does it arrive with me?
Posted on Monday, January 26, 2015
The pilot scheme which started on 1st December 2014 affects landlords and letting agents for residential properties in parts of the West Midlands. Evaluation incorporating evidence from a range of participants and stakeholders, including focus groups, pulse checks and mystery shopping, is contributing to the evaluation of the pilot scheme which will run through to May 2015.
'Test case' as judge backs right to let despite convenant
Posted on Monday, January 26, 2015
A couple have failed in a bid to prosecute their neighbour for letting out his property in what some say will become a test case.
South East Buyers saving £3870 plus under new stamp duty rules
Posted on Monday, January 26, 2015
New data released from Mortgage Advice Bureau suggests that buyers are taking advantage of the stamp duty reform.
Win an iPad Air!
Posted on Friday, January 23, 2015
Any homeowner having their property valued (for sale or rent) or instructing us to market their home in the first quarter of 2015 will be entered into our prize draw to win an iPad air.
Stamp Duty Land Tax: Government admits "slight price impact"
Posted on Monday, January 19, 2015
Treasury minister David Gauke says stamp duty changes announced by the government in December’s autumn statement will have a "slight" impact on house prices and may even produce reduced revenue.
2014 saw big increase in home-movers
Posted on Monday, January 19, 2015
More homeowners moved in 2014 than in any year since 2007, the latest Lloyds Bank Home-movers Review has revealed.
Rightmove report record start to year in terms of home seeker numbers
Posted on Monday, January 19, 2015
Rightmove has reported a record start to 2015, with the most page views ever in a single day (Sunday, January 11).
Announcement of compensation schemes for homeowners in areas neighbouring path of HS2
Posted on Friday, January 16, 2015
The Government has announced details - long awaited by homeowners and estate agents - of compensation schemes for property in areas neighbouring the path of High Speed 2 (HS2) Phase 1.
Home ownership in Britain falls to one of Europe’s lowest
Posted on Thursday, January 8, 2015
Britain now has one of the lowest home ownership rates in Europe, it has been claimed.
Pension changes set to fuel buy to let in 2015
Posted on Thursday, January 8, 2015
This year’s pension regulation changes could lead to a lettings investment boom with 32 per cent of people aged 45 to 64 with a pension considering using it for a buy to let property.
First time buyer transactions highest since 2007
Posted on Thursday, January 8, 2015
The number of first-time buyers who entered the market in 2014 increased by 22% from 2013 and 50% from 2012 to reach the highest level since 2007, Halifax’s First Time Buyer Review has revealed.
North-South repossession divide narrows as numbers fall overall
Posted on Thursday, January 8, 2015
The North-South divide has narrowed significantly in terms of repossession rates– yet 76% of Northern towns still have higher rates than their Southern counterparts, research from e.surv chartered surveyors has revealed.
Millions of 'revolving door' renters trapped in cycle
Posted on Thursday, January 8, 2015
A new report from the National Housing Federation has revealed that there is a new generation of private renters that are stuck in a cycle of short-term lets, leaving them unable to plan for the future.
Help 2 Buy 2 sales reach 38,000
Posted on Thursday, January 8, 2015
The Help to Buy equity loan scheme has assisted 38,052 sales in 20 months from its introduction in April 2013 to November 2014, government statistics have revealed.
Hillingdon Tesco plan stays: Supermarket boss says new store will be built
Posted on Thursday, January 8, 2015
Tesco is scrapping plans for 49 new stores as part of a drastic measure to turnaround the supermarket - but the Hillingdon Circus development will go ahead
Housing market sentiment increases
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014
According to the latest report from Lloyds Bank, confidence in the housing market is up five percentage points.
HMRC campaign gets £7.9m from landlords
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014
The taxman has raised £7.9 million in additional tax as a result of a crackdown on landlords with undeclared, or under-declared, rental income.
Landlords still excluded from Flood Re
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014
The Government has made some changes to the Flood Re agreement – but rental properties are still not covered.
Market slows with biggest-ever asking price drop say Rightmove
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014
The year is ending with the largest-ever drop in asking prices according to the final ‘old-style’ index from Rightmove - but it says 2015 will see price rises.
Average rents up 8.3% on a year ago but prices have dipped recently
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014
HomeLet data shows that on average, rental prices are 8.3 per cent higher across the UK at £874 per month, compared to a figure of £807 a year ago.
Government launches 20% discount scheme to help first-time buyers
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014
The Government has launched a new scheme that will offer 100,000 first-time buyers under the age of 40 a minimum 20% discount on a new-build home.
The NAEA and ARLA have set out their predictions for 2015
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Mark Hayward, Managing Director of NAEA and David Cox, Managing Director of ARLA provide an overview of what we may see in the housing market in 2015:
Third of landlords had arrears this year says survey
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Some 32 per cent of landlords in the UK – approximately 500,000 – say they have experienced rent arrears in the last 12 months, says the National Landlords’ Association.
Rise in asking price reductions injects feel good factor back into market
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014
New research by Zoopla has shown that there has been a rise in the volume of properties currently for sale that have seen their asking price lowered at least once since coming to market.
Supply levels of rental properties on the rise
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014
According to the latest quarterly report from the Association of Residential Letting Agents, supply levels in the private rental sector is showing some signs of improvement although high demand means competition for consumers will remain “fierce”.
Market Update:
Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Darren Murphy gives his views on teh current property market
iPad Air valuation prize draw winner
Posted on Monday, December 22, 2014
Mr Lunn from Uxbridge was the winner of our iPad Air prize draw
Third of tenants fail to take out contents cover
Posted on Saturday, December 13, 2014
A third of tenants in the private rented sector have no contents insurance at all - a figure that is six times larger than for owner occupiers.
Interest rate rises will not trigger affordability issues say Bank of England
Posted on Saturday, December 13, 2014
The Bank of England insists that interest rate rises - whenever they come - will not trigger problems for mortgage holders.
First Time Buyer lending back to 2007 levels
Posted on Saturday, December 13, 2014
First-time buyer lending hit £12.1bn during the third quarter of 2014, the highest level since 2007, Bank of England figures have revealed.
Buy to let boom continues with new mortgage highs
Posted on Saturday, December 13, 2014
The buy to let sector is at its strongest for six years according to data released by the Bank of England.
Holiday lettings industry worth £4.35bn a year
Posted on Saturday, December 13, 2014
A report by the London School of Economics has put the annual value of the UK’s holiday rental industry at £4.35bn a year.
How to keep your Buy To Let property winter-proof – advice from ARLA
Posted on Saturday, December 13, 2014
During winter months the risks of damage to properties are always higher than they are in warmer and lighter conditions.
What do landlords and tenants really think about each other?
Posted on Saturday, December 13, 2014
The stereotypical image of a tight-fisted, uncaring and immoral landlord (think Rigsby from Rising Damp) is refreshingly untrue according to a new report.
End of an era as Randall's of Uxbridge closes
Posted on Saturday, December 13, 2014
MP proprietor says closing the family business that has traded in Vine Street for 123 years is as bad as bereavement
Private renting should be first choice
Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2014
The private rental sector (PRS) should be the first choice for the next generation looking for accommodation, Joanna Hahn of the Department for Communities and Local Government has said.
Will new tax proposal hit second home market?
Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2014
HMRC has released proposals for implementing new Capital Gains Tax rules which will crack down on UK residents electing second homes as their main residence as well as targeting non-UK residents buying in this country.
House price growth slows again
Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2014
The rate of house price growth has declined for four consecutive months to November, the Halifax house price index has revealed.
Value of UK private housing soars £630bn in the last year
Posted on Tuesday, December 2, 2014
New research from Halifax shows the current value of the UK's private housing stock is estimated at £5.06 trillion.
House price growth continues to slow
Posted on Saturday, November 29, 2014
House price inflation slowed to an 11-month low in November, Nationwide’s latest house price index has revealed.
Twenty-somethings pay £66,800 rent in a decade
Posted on Saturday, November 29, 2014
Analysis of data produced by HomeLet suggests that twenty-somethings in the UK can expect to pay £66,800 in rent by the time they are 30.
Market Update
Posted on Friday, November 28, 2014
Chris Harper and darren Murphy give their views on the current property market
Mortgage applications hit record high in October
Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2014
According to data released from Mortgage Advice Bureau, applications from homebuyers and remortgaging homeowners reached their highest point of the year during October.
Rate cuts encourage 94% of homebuyers to fix
Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2014
The proportion of homebuyers opting for fixed rates grew to 94% in October, from 92% in September, despite reports that the Bank of England base rate may remain at 0.5% until after the general election.
Going up – number of new homes in England rises by 10%
Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2014
The number of new homes in England grew by 10% – or 136,610 – over the last year.
Quarter Three repossessions lowest in decade
Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Mortgage possession claims in county courts totalled 9,731 between July and September – the lowest quarterly total in a decade, figures from the Ministry of Justice have revealed.
Rural home premium reaches 26%
Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Buyers are prepared to pay a premium of nearly £50,000 to purchase a home in a rural part of the UK according to research which shows that at £225,217 the average price of a country property is 26 per cent more than a city location.
Government said to back new-build minimum space standards
Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2014
The government has signed up to a campaign to introduce minimum space standards for new build houses and apartments in a bid to stop the creation of more “shoe box homes” according to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
UK needs cross-party house building plan
Posted on Saturday, November 8, 2014
The UK requires a 10-year house building plan with cross-party support to ease the nation’s supply crisis, Stephen Noakes, Council of Mortgages chairman and Lloyds Banking Group mortgages director, has urged.
Base Rate may not rise until 2016 says leading economic commentator
Posted on Saturday, November 8, 2014
Following the news this month that the Bank of England has maintained the Bank rate at 0.5% Ben Brettell, senior economist at Hargreaves Lansdown, said interest rates may not rise until 2016.
Value of buy to let property set to top £1 trillion
Posted on Saturday, November 8, 2014
The value of property owned by landlords in the UK is set to break the £1 trillion pound barrier next year according the Kent Reliance’s inaugural Buy to let Britain report.
Mortgage time bomb ready to explode for thousands of borrowers
Posted on Saturday, November 8, 2014
A ‘mortgage time bomb’ is looming for people aged over 50 with interest-only mortgages and who had hoped that an endowment would clear the lump sum, typically after 25 years.
Tenant demand is booming say 41% of landlords
Posted on Saturday, November 8, 2014
According to the latest research by Paragon, landlords are still experiencing high levels of demand during the third quarter, with just 3% describing demand as declining.
Average HTB2 deposit slip under £9k
Posted on Saturday, November 8, 2014
New data from Mortgage Advice Bureau has revealed that using the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme, prospective buyers were able to secure their first step on the property ladder with average deposits of just £8,974 in September.
Autumn Newsletter 2014
Posted on Thursday, November 6, 2014
Our latest edition of Christopher Nevill's seasonal newsletter.
Book a valuation and win an iPad air!
Posted on Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Just in time for Christmas we are pleased to invite you to enter our prize draw – any homeowner having their property valued (for sale or rent) or instructing us to market their home will be entered into our prize draw to win an iPad air.
Market Update
Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Darren Murphy and Chris Harper give their views on the current property market
Year-on-year mortgage lending up 15%
Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Statistics released by the BBA have shown that Year-on-year, new mortgage lending is 15% higher and approvals for house purchase have risen by 5%.
Mortgage affordability : First-time buyers ‘hear what they want to hear'
Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2014
First-time buyers have a habit of hearing what they want to hear when it comes to affordability, senior technical manager of John Charcol Ray Boulger and market analayst Kate Faulkner have warned.
Sentiment high amongst mortgage intermediaries for buy to let mortgages
Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2014
According to the latest quarterly intermediary survey by Paragon Mortgages, there is a positive mood about future levels of mortgage business over the next year.
Land Registry: House prices up 7.2% nationally according to latest figures
Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2014
September data released from the Land Registry has shown a 7.2% increase in average prices but also that growth in the UK housing market is relaxing.
Buy-to-let lenders cut fees
Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Buy-to-let lenders have slashed up-front fees on low LTV loans as they compete for business, the latest Buy-to-let Mortgage Costs Index from Mortgages for Business has revealed.
Buy-to-let optimism soars
Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Optimism in buy-to-let has increased in October as lenders clamour for business, managing director of The Buy to Let Business Ying Tan has said.
60% increase in sell-off of social housing
Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2014
The Department for Communities and Local Governments says there has been a huge 60 per cent leap in the number of social housing units sold off and so effectively joining the private stock.
Rents rise in last year, says Office for National Statistics
Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Rents across Great Britain went up by 1% in the 12 months to September, the Office for National Statistics has reported.
£58,000 needed by “second steppers” says report
Posted on Monday, October 20, 2014
Second steppers must find an extra £58,000 to fund the move to their second home, the fourth annual Second Steppers Report from Lloyds Bank has revealed.
Good news: Unemployment sees steepest annual fall in 40 years
Posted on Monday, October 20, 2014
Unemployment has recorded its greatest annual fall since records began 40 years ago, figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed.
Large numbers of over 40s expect to pay mortgage in retirement
Posted on Monday, October 20, 2014
Half of over-40s believe they will still be repaying their mortgage (31%) or paying rent (20%) when they retire, research from specialist insurer Partnership has revealed.
Councils receive new powers to build affordable homes
Posted on Wednesday, October 15, 2014
New borrowing powers for councils to help them build new affordable homes across the country have been announced by the Housing Minister Brandon Lewis.
All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Private Rented Sector calls for more support for young renters
Posted on Wednesday, October 15, 2014
According to a new report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Private Rented Sector, the Government should look at whether more can be done to help young people who want to rent.
Bank of England Governor hints that interest rate rises may not be until 2015
Posted on Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has hinted that a base rate rise in 2014 may be too soon due to a 'modest global recovery'.
The market is still vibrant according to Office of National Statistics (ONS) House Price Index
Posted on Wednesday, October 15, 2014
The latest ONS house price index has revealed that UK house prices increased by 11.7% in the year to August 2014, unchanged from the year to July 2014.
Almost four in ten oppose mansion tax – poll
Posted on Thursday, October 9, 2014
Labour’s proposal for a so-called ‘mansion tax’ would be an unfair levy to impose, according to nearly four in ten people, despite the fact that the tax would affect less than one in 100 properties, a new poll by Rightmove reveals.
Home prices drop for first time in 17 months - Nationwide
Posted on Thursday, October 9, 2014
There was further evidence that the UK housing market is cooling as Nationwide reported the first monthly decline in residential property prices since April 2013.
Over 100,000 homes with planning consent yet to be developed
Posted on Thursday, October 9, 2014
Despite the urgent need for more new build homes to help solve the existing housing crisis caused largely by a shortage of residential properties in relation to demand from buyers and renters, new research reveals that almost half of all new homes awarded planning consent over the past year have yet to be developed, fresh data shows.
High loan to value lending increases
Posted on Sunday, October 5, 2014
High loan to value lending has increased in line with hightened first-time buyer activity, Bank of England statistics have revealed.
New code of practice for private rental sector
Posted on Sunday, October 5, 2014
Housing minister Brandon Lewis has launched a new code of practice for the private rented sector.
Help to Buy has not inflated house prices, says Bank of England
Posted on Sunday, October 5, 2014
Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney has written to George Osborne about the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme.
Is the steam coming out of the property market?
Posted on Monday, September 22, 2014
Recent reports would seem to indicate a slowing down in the rate of property price increases and the changes lenders have made following the mortgage market review (MMR) have certainly added delays to the process of securing a loan as lenders go through a more detailed process to ascertain that any loans made are affordable by the borrowers.
New home registrations continue to rise
Posted on Monday, September 22, 2014
The number of new homes registered across the country remains up compared to corresponding 2013 statistics, building on the high volumes seen over the past 18 months, according to the latest registration statistics from NHBC.
