Property Market
Landlords lead the way on energy efficiency
With new Energy Performance Certificate laws for the rental sector less than four weeks away, landlords have shown that they are ahead of the game when it comes to improving the energy performance of rental property.
Farm theft rockets in England
Farm machinery thefts in England shot up 41% in 2007 but fell to around half the level recorded the previous year across the rest of the UK according to rural insurer NFU Mutual.
The oversupply of city flats
As a countless number of new-build apartments stand empty across Britain’s urban skylines it is clear that the oversupply of new-build apartments in northern city centres has reached new levels.
Home movers go coastal
UK home movers are flocking to the coast, according to a unique study of over half a million address changes by Royal Mail.
RICS: Government housing measures
Commenting on the Government's housing measures, RICS spokesperson James Scott-Lee said: "The Government has failed to listen to the property industry and respond to market pressures and their proposed measures will have little impact on those suffering as a result of the current crisis.
CML welcome for Government housing market package
The Council of Mortgage Lenders welcomes the integrated package of housing market measures announced by the government today. At the same time, the CML urges the government to focus on the mortgage funding markets as much as on the consumer-facing initiatives announced today.
Savills welcomes Government announcement on Stamp Duty
Today's announcement finally clears up the uncertainty over stamp duty, and provides a much-needed boost to first-time buyers, says Savills Private Finance, the independent mortgage broker.
Stamp duty is not the only consideration
David Kuo, Head of Personal Finance at money website Fool.co.uk, says "The temporary raising of the stamp duty threshold from £125,000 to £175,000 will save homebuyers up to £1,750 when they purchase a property.
Stamp duty movement is too little too late
"The housing market has spluttered through the last few months with indecision on whether there would be a redefining of stamp duty clearly costing the wider economy. A suspension for one year on stamp duty for properties up to £175,000 is absolutely not the answer to the problem.
David Wilson offers three year price guarantee
If you want to move to a bigger home but are worried that its price may be lower in the next few years then help is at hand. David Wilson Homes Scotland has unveiled its unprecedented three-year price guarantee which takes provides peace of mind in the current market.
YBS launches price comparison website for conveyancing services
An online conveyancing service was launched by Yorkshire Building Society to its borrowers during 2007. It has proved so successful that a new site has been developed in-house and is now being offered to the general public from 1st September 2008.
Brokers remain upbeat over professional landlords
Mortgage brokers have reported they remain positive about the prospects for professional buy to let investors, although question marks remain around the future of amateur landlords, the latest research from The Mortgage Works has found.
Trying to beat the school system
With the 2008/09 academic year upon us, children will be starting at new schools this week up and down the country. However, with nearly a fifth of kids (18 per cent) expected to miss-out on a place at their first choice school and a further seven per cent not even receiving an offer at one of their first three choices of schools, parents are having to go to extreme lengths to secure their child's first choice of school.
House prices in university towns trading at a premium
Nine university towns in the UK have an average house price premium in excess of £20,000 when compared to their county, according to the Halifax University Town House Price Review.
NBT prescribes breathable paint finish
Natural Building Technologies is working to raise awareness of the importance of specifying the most appropriate paint finish in an age where the highest levels of air-tightness and breathability are being achieved. Developers run the risk of reducing the breathability of the building fabric if a vapour-closed paint is applied either internally or externally.