Brexit threat: Property financiers must keep calm and carry on lending July 8, 2016 Before and since the result of the UK’s referendum on European Union membership, uncertainty has pervaded – not least in property markets. Weak construction PMI data, a spate of flagship property funds halting redemptions and downgrades from City analysts has further shaken confidence. Forecasts for companies in the sector have been reduced on the basis [...]
The infinite bookshop: How Chinese architects created a reflective space using mirrors July 7, 2016 With Amazon, ebooks and high street supermarkets pushing bookshops to the brink of extinction, the few independent sellers remaining have sought to reinvent themselves as shrines to literacy, intimate meeting places for authors and their readers, and serene reading grounds amidst the urban noise. One such spot is Zhongshuge-hangzhou, a newly- opened bookshop in Hong [...]
Property companies’ share prices climb again after a difficult three days July 7, 2016 After a difficult three days of trading for companies in the property market, things are looking slightly sunnier this morning. The increases today follow the news that house prices rose in June – but analysts are predicting house prices will fall in the second half of this year. Housebuilders Persimmon's share price climbed 6.9 per cent, Berkeley [...]
House prices increased in June, but the market is slowing – and some analysts are predicting price falls of five per cent this year July 7, 2016 House prices increased month-on-month in June – but there are signs that the growth is slowing, and some analysts think that they will fall by five per cent in the second half of 2016. Prices were up 1.3 per cent in June as compared to May, according to the Halifax House Price Index, which recorded data throughout [...]
Property Entrepreneurs: We caught up with the founders of YOPA after Savills’ significant cash injection into the hybrid estate agency July 6, 2016 Selling your home online just got a whole lot more interesting. In just one week in June, two newcomers into the estate agency market received major injections of cash, to help grow their businesses. Established estate agent Savills has backed upstart YOPA, while Carphone Warehouse founder Charles Dunstone has put his substantial bet on HouseSimple. [...]
One in ten renters are charged unexpected costs by their landlords July 6, 2016 Renters are being saddled with unexpected rental costs as landlords charge them for maintenance repairs and flood damage without giving any warning. Research from Endsleigh shows over on in ten (14 per cent) tenants are being charged unexpected costs averaging £165.41 per person each year. Seventy per cent of those surveyed said they did not [...]
Henderson becomes fourth firm to close commercial property fund July 6, 2016 Henderson Global Investors has suspended trading in its commercial property funds, the latest in a series of closures as companies combat investor panic. The company said it has temporarily suspended all trading in the Henderson UK Property PAIF and the Henderson UK Property PAIF Feeder Fund to "safeguard the interests of all investors". "Despite a strong underlying portfolio, the [...]
Topps Tiles stacks up sales growth as buyers opt for home improvements July 6, 2016 Topps Tiles' chief executive said today that it was too early to know what the effects of Brexit will be as the company posted strong results. The figures Topps Tiles said like-for-like sales were up by 6.2 per cent for the 13 weeks to 2 July, compared to sales growth of six per cent in the same period [...]
Property companies’ share prices knocked again as Brexit hangover clings on July 6, 2016 It's been a rough week for property companies – and this morning has been no different. The biggest firms' share prices have fallen off the wrong side of the bed again today as the big Brexit-hangover continues to plague the industry. Read more: Aviva and M&G become latest property funds to suspend trading as investors flee Housebuilders At [...]
Aviva and M&G become the latest property funds to suspend trading as investors flee the Brexit-battered industry July 5, 2016 Two more property funds have suspended trading today as investors pull their money out of UK commercial property. M&G announced this afternoon that it was temporarily suspending trading in the shares of the M&G Property Portfolio. And earlier today Aviva suspended trading in its property fund, just after the Bank of England said this morning that it was [...]