Property Market
Owner occupiers more at risk of repossession than buy-to-let investors
Discussing The Outlook For Repossessions David Stubbs, Senior Economist At The RICS Said: Owner occupiers more at risk of repossession than buy-to-let investors.
RICS comment on DCLG HIPS announcement
Commenting on the DCLG HIPS announcement, RICS spokesman, Oliver Gilmartin said: "Any attempt by the Government to make the home buying process clear and transparent is to be welcomed. However, we still have serious concerns over the implementation of what is now an incomplete solution to the original problem.
AHIPP responds to government announcement on HIPS
Mike Ockenden, Director General, Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) comments on today’s announcement by Yvette Cooper and Ruth Kelly on Home Information Packs (HIPs):
Boost for energy performance certificates to help tackle climate change
A new consultation published today will boost efforts to tackle climate change and promote energy efficiency by proposing estate agents must include Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) with their property particulars for the first time.
Olympic Housing Strategy “Should Go For Gold”
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has urged the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) to raise its sights for the Olympic Village, following the publication of the ODA’s sustainability strategy for the 2012 London Olympics.
House prices increase by 4.2%
UK house prices increased by 4.2% during Quarter 4 of 2006, according to the Halifax House Price Index.
First time buyers to feel the pinch
First time buyers will feel the pinch of interest rate hikes in the coming months but buy-to-let investors will continue to make their mortgage repayments says research conducted by the RICS.
Scottish house price inflation above UK average
The annual rate of house price inflation in Scotland is now 12.5%, above the UK average of 9.9%, according to the latest Quarterly Scottish House Price Index from Bank of Scotland. Prices in Scotland rose by 3.0% in Q4 2006, below the UK quarterly rise of 4.2%.
The Morse factor
House prices in Oxford have outperformed the regional and national average since the television series Inspector Morse first aired 20 years ago this month, according to new research by Halifax.
NFU Mutual estimates storm claim bill will top £30m
Rural insurer NFU Mutual estimates that this week’s storms may lead to over 10,000 claims and a claims bill of over £30m.
Landlords well placed to cope with rising cost of borrowing
Despite the recent rises in interest rates, landlords will continue to be able to handle their mortgages, according to a recent survey of landlords by Paragon Mortgages.
Landlords in buy-to-let for the long term despite interest rate rises
Despite the prospect of future interest rate rises, landlords expect to stay in the buy-to-let market for the long run, with the majority of them (53%) intending to remain in the market for over 10 years.
Welsh and Scottish counties see highest house price growth
New Halifax research shows that no county now has an average price below £100,000.
Prime country house market follows fortunes of Prime Central London
Prime country house values in the Home Counties increased by nearly 14% last year and are anticipated to increase by another 15% this year according to the latest from Savills residential research.
Cars and dining up North books and bedrooms down South
New home buyers in the north expect to have a garage attached to their home and place an emphasis on having a large kitchen breakfast room, while home buyers in the south cite having a study and big bedrooms as must haves in their new homes.