London must shake off its complacency over housing and infrastructure if it’s to thrive post-Brexit October 31, 2016 Rarely has a ranking of the world’s greatest cities been released in the past few years without London at its top, or very near it. PwC recently named the capital the world’s best city for opportunity, praising its economic clout, its attractiveness to foreign direct investment, its highly skilled workforce, and its status as a [...]
We can renew London once again post-Brexit – if we channel the can-do spirit of our ancestors in facing up to our housing and infrastructure challenges October 31, 2016 London has always risen again. This is the 350th anniversary of its greatest resurrection. Our ancestors in 1666 reacted to the Great Fire with a speed and coordination that defies belief. They tax-incentivised developers, ran the first national charitable appeal, invented modern fire insurance, and worked day and night for free. Compared with the Great Fire, [...]
No Brexit blues for upbeat housebuilders, despite concerns around skills shortages and costs of materials October 31, 2016 Housebuilders are refusing to be knocked back by any Brexit blues, as the industry remains optimistic on what the future holds, research out today has found. Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking found average five-year investment plans had increased by around 17 per cent over the last year, despite over a third (36 per cent) in the sector confessing [...]
It’s cheaper to buy than rent in nearly two thirds of British cities (not London though) October 30, 2016 It's now more cost-effective to buy a home than rent in nearly two-thirds of British cities, according to new research from Zoopla. Spoiler alert: London's in the other third. The property website analysed the cost of renting a two-bedroom home compared to servicing a mortgage in Britain's 50 biggest cities. The proportion of cities offering better [...]
House prices around the M25 have gone up 551 per cent in the last 30 years October 29, 2016 The M25 is 30 years old today. A lot of things have changed in 30 years; not least house prices. Indeed, the average price of houses around the M25 has risen 551 per cent in the 30 years since Britain's busiest motorway was opened. According to Halifax, in the 40 towns surrounding the 117-mile motorway, the average price [...]
New Builds: From 31 storey Docklands towers to boutique homes next to the Royal Courts of Justice October 28, 2016 Dollar Bay, Docklands From £5m Four penthouses that form the crowning glory of this 31-storey tower in the Docklands are on sale this week. Two four floor, three bedroom penthouses and a couple of two bedroom duplexes are on sale next to each other at the apex of this joint venture between Mount Anvil and [...]
Focus On Bermondsey: River views, great food, warehouse conversions – what more could you want in SE1? October 28, 2016 This ancient town, first mentioned in the Domesday Book as Bermundesy, has had a colourful existence on the south bank of the river Thames. For centuries condemned as a slum, this centrally located area in Zone One has blossomed in the last ten years into one of the most artistic – not to mention delicious [...]
Property of the Week: Pied-a-terres are a popular way of living close to the office. Here’s how Dr Clive Rankin chose his in EC2 October 28, 2016 Pied-a-terres are fast becoming the property a la mode in central London. For a fraction of the price of a family home – not to mention the stamp duty – you could live the high life in a studio in the city with a barely-noticeable commute during the week. Then spend the money you saved [...]
Opinion: As house prices outstrip salaries, why are we still chasing the dream of homeownership? October 28, 2016 It’s over. Britain will no longer be a nation of homeowners. Now property sales are heading for an 80-year low and rentals are surpassing purchases for the first time since 1930, according to Countrywide figures released last week. To top it all off, prices have never been higher. In the good days (circa 1997 – [...]
Get in the Halloween spirit – five haunted homes for sale in the UK October 28, 2016 Halloween is fast approaching, but if you're not in the mood for a party, why not go house and ghost hunting instead? Home services marketplace Plentific.com has put together a list of five haunted houses – complete with details of the properties’ spooky past (or present). These buildings are a bargain for buyers who are willing [...]