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By month: January 2008
18-Jan-08
A member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has hinted that he supports a cut to the base rate of interest sooner rather than later.Deputy governor of the Bank and MPC member Sir John Gieve hinted at his support for a reduction durin
Market is stronger than it was in the 90s
18-Jan-08
We are not about to see a property price crash on the scale seen in the 1990s, according to one expert.CB Richard Ellis believes that prices will actually rise by around three per cent in 2008, reports the Telegraph.The firm is confident that prices will
Jobs stats won't postpone rate cut
18-Jan-08
The latest employment figures reveal that more people got themselves jobs in the three months to November 2007, but future projections point to less healthy times ahead.With this in mind, Dr John Philpott, chief economist at the Chartered Institute of Per
Landlords receive tax returns reminder
17-Jan-08
People who own investment properties in London and elsewhere in the UK need to get their self-assessment tax returns in before the January 31st deadline.HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has warned landlords and other self-employed people not to miss the da
London airport expansion will boost house prices
17-Jan-08
The value of properties close to London City Airport may increase as the hub expands.In the last 12 months, passenger numbers at the airport have increased by 23 per cent.However, although many people may see this as a negative thing for local homeowners,
Brits overspend on home improvements
17-Jan-08
A quarter of Britons who carry out home improvement work underestimate how much the projects will cost.That is according to Halifax, which reveals that around one million people undervalue the expenses involved by approximately £4,500.It means that B
Falling prices 'good news' for prospective buyers
16-Jan-08
Prospective homebuyers may finally enjoy the year they have been waiting for in 2008 as the UK property market experiences a downturn, it has been suggested.Signs that the house prices were beginning to moderate in December signals good news ahead for pro
16-Jan-08
Falling consumer confidence in the residential market has led to a large hike in buy-to-let mortgages, is has emerged.Figures released by broker Hamptons Mortgages this week revealed a 23 per cent rise in the number of buy-to-let products purchased during
House price slump 'worst since 1990s'
16-Jan-08
House prices have fallen at their fastest rate since the housing market slump of the early 1990s, it has been claimed.The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' (Rics) house price balance fell to -49.1 in December from -40.6 the previous month - its lo
Calls for Hips to be expanded further
15-Jan-08
FirstRungNow is calling for more information to be included in Home information packs (Hips).The firm believes that Hips are beneficial to the market, particularly first-time buyers (FTBs), but is confident that they are not being used to their full poten
February rate cut looks evermore likely
15-Jan-08
There is a growing belief that the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will cut the base rate of interest in February.It follows the publication of December's consumer price inflation (CPI) figure, which revealed that CPI stabilised in the m
15-Jan-08
New figures reveal that the value of the UK's private housing stock increased sharply in 2007.According to the Halifax Annual Review of the Value of the Housing Stock 2008, there was a nine per cent increase in the last 12 months.That took the total value
14-Jan-08
The majority of British buy-to-let property investors have long-term plans for their portfolios.That is according to new research from Alliance & Leicester, which shows that 57 per cent of those questioned intend to use the money they make from buy-to
Central London market is healthy
14-Jan-08
The prime central London housing market appears to be in good health despite the effects of the global credit crunch.That is according to the latest Knight Frank figures, which reveal that the region bucked the trend in terms of price growth in the last q
Empty homes campaign picks up speed
11-Jan-08
There are growing calls for the government to do more to tackle the issue of empty homes in the UK.Halifax wants tax breaks to be offered to those who buy empty properties and renovate them, either to live in or sell again within 12 months.These ideas hav
Opportune moment to buy property
11-Jan-08
The majority of property investors describe now as an opportune moment to invest in the property market.That is according to the latest survey from Property for Life, which found that 75 per cent of investors subscribe to that view.It comes despite 40 per
Use a professional to insulate your loft
11-Jan-08
Homeowners have been advised to use a professional company when it comes to installing loft insulation.Although many people may feel confident enough to carryout the work themselves, the National Insulation Association (NIA) warned that mistakes can be ma
10-Jan-08
Tenancy renewal fees should be abolished in some cases because they are "unfair".That is according to the National Landlords Association (NLA), which said that landlords who have managed the property themselves throughout the agreement should no
February rate cut is almost certain
10-Jan-08
Property investors are set to boosted by a cut to the base rate of interest in February after it was announced today (January 10th) that they will be frozen this month.Lloyds TSB Corporate Finances has applauded the decision in light of economic and infla
Energy improvements need not be expensive
10-Jan-08
Homeowners can improve the energy efficiency of their properties cheaply by making a couple of simple improvements.The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has advised homeowners to get cavity wall and loft insulation in order to improve the energy performance
Consumer confidence index displays mixed results
9-Jan-08
Despite the Bank of England announcing a cut to the base rate of interest in December, consumer confidence fell by one point in the month.That is according to the latest Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index but the report also highlighted some positive tr
MPC vote has analysts guessing
9-Jan-08
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is due to meet tomorrow (January 10th) to announce the month's base rate of interest.However, analysts are divided over whether or not the MPC will vote in favour of a cut or choose to adopt a "wa
New partnership aims to resolve disputes quickly
9-Jan-08
A new partnership has been launched to help settle disputes between buy-to-let property investors and tenants.The Ombudsman for Estate Agents (OEA) and National Approved Lettings Scheme (NALS) have joined forces in a bid to help settle disputes in a timel
December sees house prices rise
8-Jan-08
The average UK property was worth £197,039 in December, according to the latest figures.Halifax has published its house price index for the month, revealing that month-on-month growth reached 1.3 per cent.Annual inflation was recorded as 5.2 per cent
Londoners pay little attention to green features
8-Jan-08
Property buyers in London do not consider energy-saving features to be of high importance when choosing a house.Hamptons International has published research showing that 67 per cent of people in the capital rank these features as being of the least impor
Green mortgage industry is growing
8-Jan-08
A growing awareness of environmental issues is leading to a growing green mortgages industry.That is according to financial advisor Lansdown Place, with the firm citing government support for eco-homes as one factor which is driving the sector forward.Sim
Danger of talking ourselves into recession
7-Jan-08
There is a danger that we may 'talk ourselves into a recession' as a result of a growing number of negative reports about the UK housing market.According to the Intermediaries Mortgages Lenders Association (IMLA), a number of negative market predictions h
7-Jan-08
People with investment properties in London have benefited from huge population growth in the capital over the last ten years.That is according to a new report from Halifax, which reveals that the city's population increased by 538,000 between 1996 and 20
Landlords confident about market
7-Jan-08
The latest survey reveals that buy-to-let property investors remain confident about the state of the sector.It comes despite the recent turmoil caused by the global credit crunch and is good news for the buy-to-let sector and the wider housing market.Acco
UK buy-to-let 'strongest in the world'
4-Jan-08
The buy-to-let property market in the UK remains strong, according to the latest Assetz House Price Index.The survey looks at the five major indices, bringing them together, and it makes good reading for people with investment properties in London.Accordi
FTBs should be looking to buy now
3-Jan-08
First-time buyers (FTBs) may be able to land a bargain by entering the property market now.With a number of commentators predicting doom and gloom for the housing market, some people are staying away, meaning there is less competition out there.In additio
Govt accused of losing nerve over Hips
3-Jan-08
The government has been accused of losing its nerve when it came to the rollout of Home information packs (Hips).A report by a committee of MPs has attacked the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) for its handling of the situation.An ini
Banks lead the way with cheap mortgages
3-Jan-08
The latest figures from Defaqto show that a bank was the cheapest mortgage lender in 2007.However, building societies have made inroads, taking two of the top five places and five of the top ten.The study revealed that HSBC was the cheapest lender, follow
2-Jan-08
The Nationwide building society has been judged to be the most trusted bank or building society in Briton following a poll by moneysupermarket.com.The price advice website has said that 19 per cent of its respondents vouched for Nationwide as their most t
London 'sees strongest price growth in England'
2-Jan-08
Landlords with investment property in London saw the average price of their homes rise by 16 per cent last year, according to new research from Nationwide.The lender's study has revealed that this price increase was the highest such rise in England, with
