House prices to be hit by slow demand October 2, 2011 SINKING demand from a cash-strapped population is set to send house prices tumbling in the coming months, according to the latest survey from Hometrack, released today. The number of prospective house-buyers fell in August and September, while supply has outstripped demand so far this year. “Continuing economic uncertainty both at home and in the Eurozone [...]
Brisbane: still surfing, sun, and lots of fun October 2, 2011 NOT so long ago, Brisbane was little more than the country cousin to Sydney and Melbourne, and the gateway to Surfers Paradise and Noosa. However, this city, the third largest in Australia, and the capital of Queensland, is transforming into a fast-paced modern metropolis. Brisvegas, as it is affectionately known, is making a name for [...]
TRAVEL NOTES October 2, 2011 Celebratory cocktails with Dorchester Last chance to see out 2012 fashion weeks in style by sipping specially-created fashion season cocktails at the Dorchester and 45 Park Lane. Or if you’re still in Paris, pop into the Hôtel Plaza Athénée (pictured above) for a Mexican mescal-based number. Available until 5 October. www.dorchestercollection.com All aboard for some [...]
The Kindle Fire looks good… But what is it for? October 2, 2011 Apple burned by Kindle Fire. Fire heats up tablet market. Amazon fights the iPad with fire. It’s been a good week for fire related puns (and, therefore a good week for Google, which recently bought a fire-pun patent portfolio and is in the process of litigating against everyone who has used one*). Coverage for Amazon’s [...]
FAMILY TRAVEL October 2, 2011 Having spent much of my childhood climbing apple trees, playing pooh sticks and putting out milk for hedgehogs at my grandfather’s home in Suffolk, it felt natural to kick off this monthly travel column by revisiting the South East with my own family in tow (hubby, bump, two year-old Clementine). We packed up the car [...]
Unite COO heads for the door September 29, 2011 THE CHIEF operating officer of Unite Group, Britain’s largest listed student landlord, will leave the company as part of a management shake-up designed to save £2.5m a year. John Tonkiss (pictured), who has been with the firm for 10 years, will leave on 31 December as a series of changes are introduced. The moves, which [...]
Weak demand keeps house prices steady September 29, 2011 PRICES increased slightly in September compared with August’s level but fell over the last quarter and year, a leading poll showed yesterday. Nationally, prices rose by 0.1 per cent on a monthly basis, but declined by 0.1 per cent over the past three months, and by 0.3 per cent over the year to September. The [...]
Homes that offer jolly good sports September 29, 2011 THE hype around the Glorious Twelfth this year was enough to get even life-long townies interested in shooting. There is something quite exciting about going out to the “country” to pad about in wellies and a Barber jacket. “People love buying outdoor sporting homes,” Luke Morgan, a partner at The Buying Solution, tells me, “it [...]
DARTFORD, KENT September 29, 2011 HARDY’S GATE Price: £375,000 This four bedroom home would be ideal for a family. It has an open-plan kitchen and breakfast room, a separate living room and a large bathroom. The master bedroom has an en-suite and fitted wardrobes. Contact: Crest Nicholson on 0870 757 8188 or go to www.crestnicholson.com MAPLESCOMBE OAST Price: £995,000 This [...]
SELL September 29, 2011 MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL LONDON ESTATE AGENCY, KAY & CO Q.I have a small patio garden at my house in central London but am considering putting up a conservatory in the space so that I can use it all year round. Will this help me when I sell? A.On the face of it this seems [...]