Property Market
Home improvement costs up by 20%
The rising costs of transport and raw materials and a shortage of tradesmen is pushing up the costs of home improvements, according to new figures by RICS' Building Cost Information Service (BCIS).
UK homeowners feel trapped in their homes
Shocking new research from comparison website Gocompare.com reveals that nearly 25% of British homeowners feel trapped in their current homes because of their financial situation.
New scheme aims to recognise quality developers
Home owners are to benefit from a brand new recognition scheme acknowledging developers producing high standards of building work. Inspector Home, the UK’s leading independent new home snagging service, is to launch its accreditation scheme on 23 May. At present the volume of defects in new homes ranges between 0 and 405 and buyers have no way of knowing in advance how the quality of their new home will measure up. The scheme is expected to give assurance to house purchasers and off-plan buyers.
House prices fall for eighth month in a row
Annual house prices in England and Wales decreased from 3.6 per cent in March to 2.7 per cent in April, taking the average to £183,626, according to the latest figures from Land Registry.
An architect could be the key to your dream home
TV presenter and property expert Melissa Porter today launched Architect in the House, a fundraising initiative run by Shelter and the Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA), offering homeowners across London the opportunity to create their dream home while raising money for homeless people.
De-clutter your life with a new home
Are you a hoarder? Do you move boxes of stuff from one house to the next "just in case"? Or perhaps you have a wardrobe full of clothes you haven't worn for years? According to George Wimpey, moving house is the ideal time to sort out your belongings, get rid of all that junk and de-clutter your home.
Homebuyers offered a helping hand
Linden Homes is offering its customers financial peace of mind through a series of initiatives aimed at assisting homebuyers in today's market. The housebuilder is providing buyers with free access to mortgage and legal advice, in addition to its recently launched Mortgage Protection Scheme*.
Outstanding residential and sporting estate comes to market in Denbighshire
Savills Telford have pleasure in offering The Gelli Gynan Estate for sale, an outstanding residential and sporting estate in glorious countryside, being offered with a guide price of £2,250,000.
RICS: Nationwide May house price figures
Commenting on Nationwide house price figures, David Stubbs, RICS senior economist said: "The difficulties in the mortgage market are stretching accessibility and threaten to reduce transaction levels by 40% this year.
National picture doesn't tell the whole story, says NAEA
Following the release of the Nationwide house price index today, Peter Bolton King, Chief Executive of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), the residential sales arm of the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP), said:
House price falls accelerate in May
House prices fell by 2.5% during May, the largest recorded monthly fall since 1991, according to the Nationwide Building Society.
Controversial development is sell-out success
Opposed by anti-development groups and with a marketing campaign steeped in controversy, Villafont Homes are back once again to echo the complaints of protestors and announce No More Flats at the Brooks Villa development on Brooklands Road, Sale.
Extra help for house-hunters
Help is at hand for buyers struggling to raise a deposit, with a new 105% part exchange offer from McDermott Homes. House hunters are finding it increasingly difficult to secure high percentage mortgages as lenders hold off on deals, meaning many are forced to come up with a 5%, or even 10% deposit.
Landlords: you don't have to lose control of your deposits
mydeposits.co.uk, a Government-authorised insurance-based tenancy deposit protection scheme protecting over £200 million of deposits, has reminded landlords that they don't have to lose control of their deposits even though they must now be protected throughout the course of the tenancy.
New scheme aims to help first time buyers onto the ladder
First-time buyers are still struggling more than ever to get onto the property ladder. One the one hand, the credit crunch and reticence from mortgage lenders means the property market may seem less than welcoming for those looking to purchase their first home. But on the other hand, the good news is that prices are levelling out making this a good time for that all-important first purchase.