UK housing market remains buoyant but braces for downturn October 8, 2020 The UK housing market remained buoyant last month as the post-lockdown bounce continued, however experts have warned that sales are expected to weaken in the year ahead as unemployment rises. The latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) showed that buyer enquiries, agreed sales and new listings were strong in September. Research [...]
UK property firms refresh boardrooms to survive coronavirus crisis October 7, 2020 UK property firms have overhauled their leadership teams during the last six months as the sector grapples with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the latest reserach. Boardroom changes at listed real estate firms have accelerated 46 per cent to 19 in the last six months, up from 13 executive changes during the [...]
UK house prices jump again in September as market defies gravity October 7, 2020 UK house prices rose at the fastest pace in four years in September despite the raging coronavirus pandemic as people working from home sought more space, according to the Halifax house price index. Yet the lender said it is “unlikely” that the British housing market will “remain immune” to the historic economic slowdown. House prices [...]
Banking sector warns against irresponsible lending after PM’s low deposit mortgage pledge October 7, 2020 The banking sector has cautioned against irresponsible lending after the Prime Minister announced plans to help millions of potential buyers onto the housing ladder by allowing low deposit mortgages. Boris Johnson yesterday said he wants to turn “generation rent” into “generation buy” by allowing people to purchase homes with a five per cent deposit. The [...]
Investors target UK regional hotels amid staycation surge October 6, 2020 Investors are targeting hotel properties in staycation destinations such as Brighton as the coronavirus pandemic has led to more Britons going on holiday within the UK rather than risking international travel. Interest in coastal and country hotels has spiked due to the increase in holidaymakers deciding to book domestic trips this year, with some locations [...]
Exclusive: New £90m fund chases proptech startups across UK and Europe October 6, 2020 A new investment vehicle that will invest in real estate-technology companies in Britain and across Europe has been launched. BNP Paribas Real Estate, the property arm of BNP Paribas, has joined venture capital firm Fifth Wall, which launched the European Proptech Fund. The vehicle aims to invest in fast-growing European property technology-focused startups, or proptech. [...]
Boris Johnson reveals plans to cut deposits in bid to boost home ownership October 6, 2020 The Prime Minister has announced plans to help millions of Britons onto the housing ladder by allowing home-hunters to buy a property with a smaller deposit. Speaking at the Conservative Party conference today Boris Johnson said he wants to turn “generation rent” into “generation buy” by reforming the UK’s planning system. The government is planning [...]
London house prices: These capital commuter towns have seen the largest rises October 6, 2020 House prices in Greater London have edged higher in the past 12 months even as the outbreak of coronavirus posed fresh challenges for buying and selling property. Figures from Barclays Mortgages’ postcode property index have revealed the postcodes in the capital which have seen the fastest house price growth over the past 12 months. And [...]
Young Londoners buck trend to leave the capital due to coronavirus pandemic October 6, 2020 Young people are keen to continue living in London despite the trend, sparked by the coronavirus pandemic, to seek bigger and cheaper housing outside of the capital, according to the latest research. Research published this morning showed that 73 per cent of Londoners aged 25 to 44 were planning to remain in the capital, compared [...]
Chanel snaps up Bond Street boutique for £310m October 5, 2020 French luxury fashion brand Chanel has reportedly bought its boutique store on Bond Street for £310m in a vote of confidence for the central London commercial property market. Reports that the designer firm will pay around £70m above the £240m asking price for the property cements Bond Street’s status as a “safe haven”, despite plummeting [...]