Wework bags $3bn in additional funding from Softbank November 13, 2018 Flexible workspace provider Wework has secured an additional $3bn (£2.3bn) in funding from Softbank, as it pushes ahead with its global expansion plans despite continuing to report losses across the board. The new funding builds on the $1bn that Wework received from the Japanese mega-investor in the form of a convertible bond earlier this year. Today's investment will be granted [...]
Taylor Wimpey confident it can beat market uncertainty as low interest rates boost house buyers November 13, 2018 Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey today said it is on track to weather political uncertainty to deliver on guidance thanks to low interest rates and the government's Help to Buy scheme. Sales rates for the year to date were 0.81 per outlet per week in the second half of 2018, unchanged from last year, though cancellation rates were up [...]
Foxtons closes six London branches as challenging market flattens revenue growth November 13, 2018 Estate agent Foxtons has today confirmed the closure of six London stores, amid a downturn in sales that has led to a "challenging" market. The closures came as part of a cost-cutting drive at the firm to meet market conditions. Branches in Beckenham, Enfield, Loughton, Ruislip and Barnes, as well as its flagship Park Lane office, have [...]
Interiors: We look how you can decorate your way towards getting a more restful night in bed November 12, 2018 Sleep science tells us that rest is the third pillar of health, along with nutrition and exercise. So, as the nights draw in, it’s time to create your ultimate sleep sanctuary. In Scandinavia, where they like to live cosy, sleep tech is mainstream. UnikBed (unikbed.co.uk) is from Finland (find them on the Holloway Road), and [...]
Don’t like new build homes in glass towers? We round up the best conversion homes in characterful period buildings November 12, 2018 You want to buy a new house, but you don’t want to live in a soulless shell. There’s good news: the historic conversion market is continuing to boom, with London’s ancient buildings being scaffolded as we speak. Hampstead Manor, at the heart of which is white-stucco mansion Kidderpore Hall, is one such development. It’s being [...]
Opinion: How can technology make moving house easier? We count the ways November 12, 2018 Moving home is considered to be one of the most stressful life experiences and as a result people rarely bother. The average person only moves once every 17.8 years according to the latest English Housing Survey. But does it need to be this way? Over the next decade, technology will transform the way we buy, [...]
Property of the Week: Order steak and cigars up to these two ‘bois’ pads above Scottish restaurant Boisdale Belgravia November 12, 2018 When most of us are too tired to cook we simply order a takeaway, but these apartments in Mayfair have a more upmarket solution. Both are situated on top of Boisdale on North Row, part of the legendary chain of restaurants founded by Ranald Macdonald in 1986 to celebrate his true loves; Scotland, whisky, cigars [...]
New homes: Our pick of what’s going on sale in London this week November 12, 2018 New developments on the market this week Aviator Place, Acton From £150,000 for a 40 per cent share of a one bedroom apartment Get onto the property ladder a share at a time by purchasing one of these Shared Ownership homes going on sale in west London tomorrow. Acton is an up-and-coming part of Zone [...]
Break the chain: Spotify backers fund estate agent Nested November 11, 2018 An estate agent that helps homeowners buy their next property chain-free has received £120m from the backers of Spotify, Betfair and Revolut. Nested gives homeowners a cash advance of up to 94 per cent of their property’s value, allowing them to buy a new home before completing a sale. The rest of the value is [...]
The government is finally turning its attention to the housing crisis, but what’s missing? November 8, 2018 There's no question that the housing market is in need of drastic reform. So it was welcome news last week when the chancellor announced that the government was turning its attention to reforming the supply side of the market through a £500m Housing Infrastructure Fund and British Business Bank guarantees for SME house builders. In broader terms, there seems to [...]