BREAKING NEWS – top 5 stories 11/03/2021

Estate Agent Networking Breaking News

RIGHTMOVE ON THE BLINK

Last week I noticed that my local agent was having problems uploading new stock to Rightmove. Having made an investigation into it – Rightmove suggested it was an isolated incident and it was possibly the agent and their system that created the problem.

Now from information that Rightmove has sent out – agents have only prescribed times that they can edit and upload their inventory, which of course creates problems. Apparently Rightmove says that this action is tied into data breach concerns. All we know is that several agents have contacted us very uptight that that they are now facing new higher bills from Rightmove and less service.

HABITO ONE LAUNCHES A 40-YEAR FIXED RATE MORTGAGE PRODUCT

Habito has set up ‘Habito One’ a mortgage product that allows borrowers to have a four-decade long mortgage cycle. Perhaps, at the heart of the strategy is to stop borrowers from re-tuning their mortgages every two years, which is the typical period that mortgagees look at their mortgage options.

The Bank of England are talking about negative interest rates, and with the current interest rate at present 0.1, is a 40-year deal at 5.35% a good deal with a 10% deposit? Or even the lower rate of 4.2% with a 40% deposit? – if for the next decade the base rate is nominal?

Maybe I am old fashioned, but 25-year mortgages were all the vogue, then 30-year terms crept in especially for first time buyers, but if you start to do the compound mathematics – 40 years of repayments is a lot of capital.

GOVERNMENT EXTENDS EVICTIONS UNTIL START OF JUNE

In what is increasingly becoming a game of cat and mouse – the Housing secretary has further extended the ban on evictions until June. In the rental sector that will mean that it will be late October onwards before tenants who need to be evicted will actually be faced with this prospect.

This is not really helping the landlords or the tenants, and of course there are many strands to this from tenants in arrears to tenants who are anti-social. The grim reality is that the giveaway Chancellor probably needs to inject some capital into this for the sake and health of the PRS.

BRISTOL INVESTS IN MODULAR HOUSING

Nearly 200 modular constructed homes will be built in Bristol, half of the stock being affordable the other for private residential. Legal and General Modular Homes are supplying the prefabricated housing, in a joint partnership with Bristol local government.

PIERS MORGAN WALKED – 200M WIPED OFF ITV SHARE VALUE

Though not a property related piece, as Personality news is a real thing, and as I am an influencer, I thought it sensible to run this news headline, as it strikes at the heart of what is happening in and around reporting, freedom of the press and news in general.

The loss of a key influencer can really sting, as can having them on your team. And real news rather than fake news is increasingly hard to come by as the world of Press releases, rather than investigative journalism takes hold.

I feel everyone has a right to air their views, and everyone has the right to agree and disagree, and those who do not defend this will be the losers and not only financially. The loss or resignation of the old-fashioned news reader hardly causes a ripple, but big personalities who deliver news and opinions are now the big hitters.

Andrew Stanton

CEO & Founder Proptech-PR. Proptech Real Estate Influencer, Executive Editor of Estate Agent Networking. Leading PR consultancy in Proptech & Real Estate.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

London’s most prestigious postcodes revealed

The latest research from Enness Global has revealed London’s 11 most prestigious postcodes based on average sold price data, with the SW1A postcode covering Mayfair and St James’s topping the table, where the average home sold for £2.375m. Enness Global analysed sold price data from the Land Registry, examining transactions to have completed across London’s…
Read More
Software & Tech

Software GDTJ45 Builder Problems: Causes, Solutions, and Best Practices

If you’ve been using GDTJ45 Builder software, you might have noticed it’s not always as smooth and reliable as expected. From installation errors to unexpected crashes and slow performance, many users experience problems that can disrupt workflow, delay projects, and cause frustration. This article will walk you through the most common GDTJ45 Builder problems, explain…
Read More
Breaking News

Developers draw confidence from improving lending landscape

Jonathan Samuels, CEO of Octane Capital, believes that improving conditions across the lending landscape have helped to boost developer confidence heading into a new year, despite a number of challenges still remaining, with specialist finance remaining a key weapon in their arsenal. The latest survey of UK property developers, commissioned by specialist lender Octane Capital,…
Read More
Breaking News

Happy New Year! UK construction performance finishes 2025 on a high

GLENIGAN INDEX: UK construction starts 2026 on a stronger footing with 2025 concluded with a significant increase in project starts during the Index period The value of project starts increased by 7% during Q.4, but remained 7% below 2024 levels. Residential construction starts declined by 2% in the preceding three months and by 20% against…
Read More
Breaking News

Prime London homeowners unmoved by mansion tax

The latest look at prime London property supply from Jefferies London has shown that the volume of homes priced at £2m or more listed for sale across Prime Central London (PCL) fell by -9.3% during the fourth quarter of 2025, but £2m+ homes still account for 35% of PCL stock. Jefferies London analysed current for-sale…
Read More
Breaking News

2026 Predictions for the Auctions Sector

Daniel Gale, Head of Auctions, First for Auctions, part of LRG “As we enter 2026, market conditions are expected to mirror those seen last year. Buyer confidence remains cautious, borrowing costs are still high, and lenders continue to tighten criteria. This ongoing pressure on private treaty sales is driving more sellers towards auction as a…
Read More