Breaking News
Mortgage approvals improve in third quarter
According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders in their press release yesterday there was a reported pick up in mortgage approvals in the third quarter First-time buyers saw month-on-month and year-on-year increases in activity by volume and by value in September. Home mover lending by contrast saw a dip in September compared to August, but grew by volume and…
Allen Walkey
House prices rise for third consecutive month
The latest UK Residential Market Survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) found that in October house prices have risen across all parts of the UK for the third consecutive month and that they are expected to rise by 4.5% per annum, over the next five years . East Anglia has consistently seen…
Allen Walkey
Two more agents expelled from The Property Ombudsman for 2 years.
Two more agents, A S Moon & Partners, a sales and letting agent based in Northumberland, and CityWest.co.uk Limited, a sales and letting agent based in Hounslow, have been expelled from membership of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) for a minimum of two years. Both had failed to comply with parts of the TPO Codes of…
Christopher Walkey
Barrat Developments Trading Update
Barratt Developments PLC Trading Update is for the period from 1 July to 8 November 2015. Market conditions remain strong, with the Group trading well since the start of the new financial year. There is good consumer demand for our homes across the country, supported by a positive economic backdrop. With demand outpacing supply, we…
Allen Walkey
Weak oil price affects Aberdeen Property market
The weak oil price is affecting high end property prices in the north east of Scotland, also the buy-to-let property market in and around Aberdeen, reports suggest that the oil price is likely to remain low over the next five years because of plentiful supply and falling demand. In a report appearing in Energy Voice, …
Allen Walkey
Kremer Signs Make History at Industry Awards.
On the 3rd November 2015 Kremer Signs made history at the prestigious Neg Awards, by becoming the first back to back winners of the ‘Supplier of the Year’ award. The award ceremony was held at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane London, and was presented by comedian Alistair McGowan. The judges comments: “This company has proven…
Nuisance neighbours.
According to a new study by Churchill Home Insurance only 40% of estate agents ask sellers to reveal any issues they may have with their neighbours, 10% of estate agents just rely solely on the purchasers’ solicitor or conveyancer to investigate any existing issues they may have. It is a legal requirement to disclose any disputes…
Allen Walkey
Tenants renting their homes for long term.
The latest findings from the HomeLet Rental Index reveal that over the three months to October the cost of a tenancy outside of London rose by 3.5 per cent when compared to last year. Whilst this level of growth for new tenancies continues to outstrip the rate of inflation, this is much lower than the…
Allen Walkey
Gerry Fitzjohn appointed Board Chairman of The Property Ombudsman.
After thirteen successful years with The Property Ombudsman (TPO), twelve years as Board Chairman of TPO, Bill McClintock will be officially standing down on 1st January 2016, and Gerry Fitzjohn, currently Vice Chairman of the Board, has been appointed to take up the position. Bill, who has over 50 years experience in estate agency, joined…
Christopher Walkey
George Osborne – The Teddington Landlord’s friend or enemy?
Well the last couple of months has been rather hectic as Teddington landlords, some who use us to manage their properties and other landlords who just read my Teddington Property Blog, have been sending me emails or picking the phone up to me about the new rules on buy to let taxation announced in the…
NAEA National London Forum 2016
The NAEA National London Forum will be held on 23 February at the Lancaster Hotel. Now in its fourth year, the forum promises to be the must attend event of 2016, for all who work within the ever growing estate agent industry in the UK. It is an essential date for the diary as it…
Allen Walkey
Two category awards for Waterfords.
Waterfords wins ‘South East Agency’ and ‘Community Champion’ of the Year On Tuesday 3rd November, local estate agent Waterfords had an exceptional night at The Negotiator Awards, the largest event in the property industry calendar. They walked away winners of two categories, ‘South East Agency of the Year’ and ‘Community Champion of the Year’. Over…
Allen Walkey
Bank of England keeps Bank Rate at 0.5%
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets monetary policy in order to meet the 2% inflation target and in a way that helps to sustain growth and employment. At its meeting ending on 4 November 2015, the MPC voted by a majority of 8-1 to maintain Bank Rate at 0.5%, Yesterday the Bank’s…
Allen Walkey
House price growth rises in October
According to figures released yesterday from the Halifax House Price Index (HPI), annual house price growth rose in October. Prices in the three months to October were 9.7% higher than in the same three months a year earlier. House prices in the latest three months (August-October) were 2.8% higher than in the preceding three months….
Allen Walkey
Countrywide third quarter trading update.
Countrywide PLC the UK’s largest integrated property services group, issues its trading update for the quarter ended 30 September 2015. Countrywide continues to perform well across its diversified portfolio, not withstanding the impact on their estate agency business of lower levels of housing transactions than in 2014. Commenting on the Group’s performance, Alison Platt, CEO…
Allen Walkey