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By month: November 2007
30-Nov-07
Landlords in the UK are charging record rents because tenant demand is so strong.That is according to new research from Paragon Mortgages, which reveals that the average monthly rent in October was £11,066.The figure was 10.2 per cent higher than tha
30-Nov-07
New research shows that many homeowners would like to switch to a fixed-rate mortgage.Abbey has published a study, showing that almost in-in-three would opt for a fixed-deal for five or more years if they had to switch.The most common reason for this is t
29-Nov-07
Home information packs (Hips) will have a positive impact on the housing market, according to one provider of the packs.Hiphiphooray.com says that the benefits to the market will become clear in the future.Lesley Sorridimi from the website, said that the
London prices benefit landlords
29-Nov-07
People with investment properties in London may benefit from sky-high house prices in London.The London Housing Federation (LHF) says that the city faces a "social crisis" because property prices have soared well above the average wage in recent
28-Nov-07
House prices in England and Wales increased by 0.1 per cent in October.That is according to the Land Registry house price index for the month, which put the average property price at £184,346.Surprisingly, the largest month-on-month fall was recorded
28-Nov-07
The average UK property will increase in value by up to four per cent in 2008.Smart New Homes says that it anticipates price growth of between two per cent and four per cent next year.It also says that it expects new home prices to rise by up to three per
Landlords prepare for EPC rule changes
27-Nov-07
All rented properties will need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) from October 1st 2008.The law will be changed to make it mandatory for all landlords to make an EPC available to tenants.According to the National Landlords' Association (NLA), most o
Opportunities still present for landlords
27-Nov-07
There are still plenty of opportunities for buy-to-let property investors to make money in the UK.Imagine Homes says that investors who buy properties in the right areas, ensure they are to a certain standard and are interested in medium to long-term retu
Brits unsure about mortgage rates
27-Nov-07
It has been revealed that many Britons struggle when it comes to working out the monetary value of the interest rate on their mortgage.Nationwide has carried out research which shows that 75 per cent of people could not calculate the difference between a
Consumers expect base rate cut
26-Nov-07
Despite fears about rising prices, the latest figures show that British consumers are confident that the base rate of interest will fall.Lloyds TSB Consumer Markets has published its Consumer Barometer, showing that just 43 per cent of people think that t
Lighting affects property sales
26-Nov-07
Internal lighting can have a big impact when it comes to selling a property.That is according to Asco Lights, which says that lighting adds to the overall appearance of a house.The firm advises home-sellers to invest in stylish lighting in a bid to make t
London landlords see soaring demand
26-Nov-07
Landlords with investment properties in London are benefiting from the highest demand for rented accommodation for five years.That is according to the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (Arla), which says that rising house prices and other afforda
23-Nov-07
Hopes of an interest rate cut next month appeared increasingly unlikely last night after the Bank of England's deputy governor said it was too early to assess the impact of the liquidity squeeze.Business leaders and borrowers were hoping to see interest r
23-Nov-07
The increasing cost of houses has led many more first-time buyers to join together with partner, family member or friends, new research reveals.According to new figures, 72 per cent of graduate first-time buyers have bought with a partner, family member o
All homes affected by Hips from December
22-Nov-07
The entire housing market is set to benefit after the government announced that Home information packs (Hips) will become a mandatory part of the home-selling process for all properties from December 14th.That is according to the Association of Home Infor
Boris wants changes to London housing
22-Nov-07
London mayoral candidate Boris Johnson has weighed into the debate over affordable housing in the capital, calling for homes to be built that "will still be loved and respected in 100 years".Mr Johnson has gone head-to-head with current mayor Ke
21-Nov-07
Homeowners may be given three boosts in 2008, with Global Insight anticipating that the base rate of interest will be cut at least three times.The firm believes that interest rates will fall to five per cent but admitted that it is unsure when the cuts wi
Update your kitchen to increase property value
21-Nov-07
Kitchens and bathrooms are two areas that homeowners should focus on when it comes to making home improvements.That is according to the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC), which says that these two rooms have the most potential to add value to a pro
Still money to be made in buy-to-let
21-Nov-07
Anyone considering buying an investment property in London or anywhere else in the UK can still make money in the market.That is according to the Building Societies' Association (BSA), which says that demand for rented accommodation remains high.However,
20-Nov-07
The UK mortgage market is continuing to thrive despite recent turbulence.According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), gross lending reached £32.4 billion in October.That is six per cent more than was lent in September and October 2006 (both &#
20-Nov-07
Annual house price growth reached 9.7 per cent in October, according to the Assetz House Price Watch.The index brings together the UK's major house price indices and shows that the average annualised growth in the year to October 2007 saw prices increase
Digital switch over is landlords' responsibility
19-Nov-07
Buy-to-let property investors need to be aware of the regulations surrounding the digital television switch over.By 2012, analogue TV signals will be switched off across the UK and landlords with properties in blocks of flats that have a communal TV syste
FTBs going to great lengths to buy a house
19-Nov-07
Young people are so eager to get onto the property ladder that they will go to extraordinary lengths to do so.That is according to new research from Abbey Mortgages, which shows that 16 per cent of first-time buyers (FTBs) would consider moving abroad in
London prices continue to grow
19-Nov-07
Property prices in London continued to rise in November, despite the rest of England and Wales experiencing negative inflation.The Rightmove House Price Index reveals that reveals that prices in the capital increased by 2.3 per cent month-on-month.All oth
16-Nov-07
Now is a good time to invest in property in London and the south-east, according to a leading investment specialist.Andy Smith, managing director of 1st Property Investment, says that there has not been a better time in the last three or four years to buy
Home movers don't stop for Christmas
16-Nov-07
Christmas remains a busy time of year for the housing market, according to new research.Despite the festive period traditionally being seen as a time when few people choose to move home, Alliance & Leicester says that as many as 22 per cent of homeown
16-Nov-07
Pressure is growing for Home information packs (Hips) to be expanded.The Association of Home Information Pack Providers (Ahipp) says that a full-scale rollout is needed in order to feel the full benefits of the packs.Ahipp's deputy director general Paul B
15-Nov-07
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has called upon the Bank of England to cut the base rate of interest "sooner rather than later".Following the revelation that consumer prices index (CPI) annual inflation reached 2.1 per cent in October, the
Period features may be bad for the environment
15-Nov-07
Homeowners have been advised to consider the environmental impact of any period features they add to a modern property.The National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) says that it can be tempting to install features such as an open fireplace in a home but th
14-Nov-07
New research has revealed that homeowners are generally £5,811 better off than tenants after 25 years.Abbey has conducted a survey which showed that buying is better than renting financially, although the difference between the two is closing.When th
14-Nov-07
Home information packs (Hips) have been defended after the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) launched a scathing attack on them.Rics claimed that the packs will force first-time buyers (FTBs) out of the market but this has been denied by the
Govt urged to act over HMO licensing
13-Nov-07
The current scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) licensing is inconsistent, according to one lender.Heritable Bank points out that landlords in different parts of the country are being forced to pay different sums of money in order to get their h
Landlords must do their research
13-Nov-07
Buy-to-let property investors are being advised to do their research before buying an investment property.Information website Property Hawk says that it is unwise for investors to simply snap up properties without looking at their long-term performance an
12-Nov-07
House prices continued to rise in September, spelling good news for people with buy-to-let properties in London and throughout the UK.According to the latest house price index from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG), monthly price g
12-Nov-07
A growing number of parents are choosing to downsize their property once their children have left home.Savills says that many people have been encouraged to do so in order to help their children onto the property ladder.With house prices having increased
London landlords benefit from huge demand
9-Nov-07
People with investment properties in London are benefiting from a surge in young professionals who are looking for rented accommodation in the capital and other areas of the south-east.The National Landlords' Association (NLA) says that as house prices in
8-Nov-07
The base rate of interest has been held at 5.75 per cent in a move that was widely anticipated by analysts.The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) reached the decision in a meeting today but a cut is expected to be announced soon.Most commen
8-Nov-07
Property investors and UK homeowners have nothing to worry about despite house prices falling in October.Halifax has published its house price index, which shows that there was a 0.5 per cent drop in month-on-month inflation.Despite the fall, Halifax says
Changing habits protect homeowners
8-Nov-07
Property investors and homeowners are protecting themselves from the effects of the global credit crunch by altering their spending habits.That is according to debt counselling service provider Thomas Charles, which has published research showing that att
Confidence high among landlords
7-Nov-07
Buy-to-let property investors remain confident in the market, according to the latest research.The National Landlords' Association (NLA) has revealed that 23.4 per cent of landlords intend to increase their portfolios in the next five years.According to t
7-Nov-07
Buy-to-let property investors in the UK are growing in confidence, according to new research from Property for Life.The study reveals that 76 per cent of landlords believe that now is a good time to buy an investment property, compared to just 72 per cent
Landlords to benefit from credit crunch
6-Nov-07
People with investment properties in London and elsewhere in the UK are set to reap the rewards of the global credit crisis.That is according to Moneygate, which says that we are set to see an increase in the number of renters as lenders tighten their cri
5-Nov-07
Property investors should not be put off from buying new builds.That is according to the Home Builders Federation (HBF), which disputes claims that new builds are more likely to lose value than older properties.Recent reports have revealed that new builds
December may see cut in interest rates
5-Nov-07
Property investors will be pleased to hear that a leading economist believes the Bank of England may cut the base rate of interest as early as December.Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) said that market conditions may force the Bank to reduce the rate
Brits admit to rowing with neighbours
5-Nov-07
Over a quarter of Britons admit to having had a dispute with their neighbour and 31 per cent of these said that it happened within the last 12 months.Research by Halifax shows that 26 per cent of those questioned had been involved in a row, with noise bei
2-Nov-07
Property investors were given a boost this month with the news that house prices increased between September and October.The Chesterton October House Price Index put monthly property price growth at at 0.3 per cent.It took the average house price in Engla
Listed buildings can be energy efficient
2-Nov-07
Old, listed buildings can be made more energy efficient, although the rules surrounding these properties can make things "very difficult".According to the Listed Property Owners Club (LPOC), people who own these types of homes often find themsel
Almost half of mortgage brokers expect rate drop
1-Nov-07
Interest rates are expected to fall within the next three months, according to one survey of mortgage brokers in the UK.The GE Money Home Lending survey questioned mortgage brokers across the country and has found that many are optimistic about a future d
Ignore the big lenders for better deals
1-Nov-07
Mortgage borrowers are more likely to get a good deal by ignoring the major lenders.That is according to Moneyfacts, which has carried out research showing that most of the deals offered by the major banks do not feature in the top 250 best products.In fa
1-Nov-07
Suggestions that the UK housing market is set to crash have been rubbished by a leading economist.David Stubbs from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) told BBC Radio Four that a number of key factors are underpinning the market.His commen
