Property Market

St Albans most expensive town in the UK

St Albans remains the most expensive town in the UK with an average house price of almost £350,000, according to a survey by the Nationwide Building Society.

House prices fall 0.5% in December

UK house prices fell by a seasonally adjusted 0.5% in December, recording their second consecutive month-on-month fall, according to the Nationwide Building Society.

Montrose is the 2007 property hot spot

Montrose in Angus recorded the biggest house price increase (39%) in 2007, according to Halifax Estate Agents.

Gradual thawing of icy conditions for first time buyers in 2008

Commenting on the Halifax report on first time buyers, RICS chief economist, Simon Rubinsohn said: "While first time buyers continue to struggle to access the housing market, the conditions should start to gradually thaw throughout 2008.

Lowest number of first time buyers since 1980

The number of first time buyers (FTBs) is at its lowest since 1980. An estimated 300,000 first time buyers entered the market in 2007 – 44% less than in 2002 (532,000), according to research by the Halifax.

Buyers take advantage as homeowners rush to beat HIPS

The November survey from the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has revealed an increase in the number houses available and buyers on books as homeowners rushed to beat the 14th December HIPs deadline and potential purchasers took advantage of more favourable market conditions.

RICS UK Housing market forecast for 2008

RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) expects UK house prices to be broadly unchanged in 2008 but acknowledges that the market could experience some near term weakness.

Recognition for innovation at Miller Homes

Miller Homes has scooped another industry title – this time for Best Marketing Innovation, in the hotly contested national Housebuilding Innovation Awards. It was the company’s latest online innovation, mymillerstreet.co.uk, that stole the show for the panel of judges who said they were impressed by the way the company has used “modern technology to ease the housebuying process” for buyers.

NAEA again express amazement at government spin over HIPs

Last Friday, the Communities and Local Government (CLG) published its latest update on Home Information Packs (HIPs).

Co-habiting couples risk losing out without pre-hab agreement

Just one in four couples in the UK (24%) would consider getting an agreement drawn up before moving in together according to new research from AA Legal Services.

Demand for flats falls away but rents remain firm

The growth in tenant demand for rental property moderated as demand for flats fell away due to an oversupply in the market, says the latest RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Lettings Survey.

Investing in a sustainable built environment

High level representatives from the Prince of Wales Foundation for the Built Environment, the European real estate industry, financial sector, academia and EU Institutions will discuss the practical implications of investing in energy efficient buildings at an interactive conference organised by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors).