Property Market
Energy White Paper must ensure effective energy supply
Commenting on the publication of the Government’s Energy White Paper, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation (HBF) Stewart Baseley says: “HBF is committed to working with the Government on its objective that all new homes should reach a zero carbon performance standard from 2016.
Severn Trent: Government announcement of delayed HIPS
Severn Trent Searches thinks the Government has made the right decision. While the delay to HIPs is disappointing it will allow a greater number of energy inspectors to be trained in time for an August launch. Severn Trent Searches has sufficient energy inspectors to draw on but shortages elsewhere could have caused long delays for homeowners.
Discover your first home with Persimmon
Fed up with still not having the freedom of a home of your own while other friends your age may have already made that first step onto the property ladder? Perhaps you are longing to stop wasting money renting a property but you just haven’t been able to find a home that you can afford? If this all sounds a bit too familiar, you need to be talking to Persimmon Homes.
Property marks time in April
The housing market continued to mark time in April with the average price of a house up just 0.82% on the previous month but still below prices seen at the end of 2006. At £222,117, the average property value is up just 3.4% on year-ago levels.
NHBC response to HIPs delay announcement
NHBC, independent authority on new home construction in the UK, welcomed the announcement from Communities and Local Government Minister, Ruth Kelly, to delay the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs). Whilst NHBC has a HIP provision service in place it has expressed concerns that the wider market is not currently able to service the volumes of HIPs which have been suggested.
CML goes greener and reflects on HIPs
The Council of Mortgage Lenders has become the first financial services trade body to sign the Trade Association Forum's declaration on climate change.
Is it worth it?
Britain’s DIY stores are doing a booming business thanks to inspiring home make-over TV programmes. If every presenter was to be believed, all home improvement projects add value. Not necessarily, say estate agents at Knight Frank, who caution that the cost of the project may not always be fully re-couped.
HIP, HIP, Delay! Warning over mis-selling of Home Information Packs
Home Information Packs (HIPs) should have been a boon for homebuyers, or at least that is what we were told. But HIPs have been watered down, put on hold, and now look completely washed up.
Galliford Try Housebuilding Division launches new identity
In line with the acquisition of Linden Homes and the restructuring of the Housebuilding Division, Galliford Try has taken the opportunity to re-brand its housebuilding business to enable the communication of a unified and consistent brand identity throughout the enlarged company.
Stop press – all sold at Village Place
According to property website Smart New Homes, many young families are looking for a three bedroom semi-detached home with a garden, but are discovering the reality of finding such a property extremely difficult. Even housing minister Yvette Cooper recently announced a drive to tackle this shortage by encouraging housebuilders to build more family homes. At Linden Homes’ exclusive Village Place development in Whitchurch, the demand for family homes is just as keen, which is why the scheme has now sold out in its entirety.
Delay welcomed as estate agencies unprepared for HIPs
The announcement by the Communities Secretary, Ruth Kelly, that the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs) is to be delayed until August will be welcomed by smaller estate agencies, many of which had been left unprepared by the confusion surrounding the packs.
Young home-buyers get help from Bank of Mum and Dad
Nearly a third of potential first-time buyers (31%) anticipate financial help from their parents, according to new research commissioned by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).
Planning White Paper must deliver more land for homes
Reacting to the publication of the Government’s Planning White Paper, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation Stewart Baseley has called on the Government to ensure that its final, detailed proposals for reform maintain a clear focus on increasing the efficiency and speed of the planning system:
£1 sports hall transfer window opens
As the football season draws to a close there won't just be premiership stars on the transfer market this year.
Solarcentury: Enabling schools to ‘go solar’
Solarcentury, the UK’s leading solar energy company which has helped more homes, businesses and public buildings go solar than anyone else, today launches Solar4Schools, a new initiative to help British schools go solar in a bid to reduce rising carbon emissions.