EU referendum: Brexit could affect property prices – but the Chinese slowdown and a potential interest rate rise are greater causes for concern February 29, 2016 The date has been set and the die has been cast – after 40 years this June voters will have a chance to decide if Britain should stay in the EU and speculation on the possible impact of a Brexit has reached fever pitch. While politicians, businesses and industry experts are willing to throw their [...]
Chinese property tycoon Ren Zhiqiang’s microblogging accounts blocked after Xi criticism February 28, 2016 Chinese property tycoon Ren Zhiqiang has had his microblogging accounts shut down by the Beijing authorities after he criticised President Xi Jinping. The Cyberspace Administration of China said Ren had published "illegal messages that had a bad impact". "The cyberspace is not outside the laws, nobody is allowed to spread illegal information using the internet," Jiang Jun, [...]
Hometrack figures show slide in property sales across top 20 UK cities in 2015 February 26, 2016 The number of number of homes sold across the UK's top 20 cities fell by two per cent over the last year, according to data released today by Hometrack. London has seen a seven per cent dip in transactions in the year to January while Cambridge experienced the biggest drop in sales, down 20 per cent [...]
Estate agents let loose with Simon Cowell’s property mogul brother Nick Cowell at Estate Office’s 30th anniversary gala ball February 25, 2016 He may have gone down the property route rather than into the glitzy world of showbiz like his brother Simon, but property mogul Nick Cowell had the moves like Mick Jagger at Estate Office's glamorous 30th anniversary gala. Cowell, head of property firm Cowell Group, which owns Estate Office, brought real estate bosses and rugby legends together on Wednesday [...]
We profile five young developers that are shaking up the UK property industry February 25, 2016 The free-thinking “millennial generation” could be our most entrepreneurial age group. Having pushed the boundaries of communications and technology, many are now challenging traditional businesses, including property development, and are making a significant mark. They may be young, but the self confidence and business sense of the five developers profiled here has helped them deliver [...]
Is TfL lighting the way with its new interiors for the London Underground? February 25, 2016 While most of us can appreciate the marvel that is the London Underground – especially those who have travelled on the Paris and New York equivalents – few actually enjoy using it on a day-to-day basis. So TfL has hired architectural lighting firm Nulty+ and saddled them with quite a challenge; making your commute more [...]
How to save when buying or selling property overseas February 25, 2016 Sterling has had a tough start to the year against key major currencies like the dollar and the euro. And there is talk of it weakening further as 2016 progresses.For anybody buying property abroad this is unlikely to be good news. So the question is, can you do anything to protect yourself? Some economic commentators [...]
Focus On Shadwell: Good transport and pubs mean promising times ahead in East London February 23, 2016 St Chad – after whom east London’s Chadwelle, now known as Shadwell, is named – is jokingly referred to as the patron saint of botched elections. This modern nickname was applied after the 2000 US election, when irregular “chads” (punched holes) may have defaced enough ballots cost Al Gore the 2000 US election. Chad is [...]
Why Barking and Dagenham’s tunnel vision could boost property and jobs in east London February 10, 2016 Barking and Dagenham is London’s growth opportunity. We have enough land in this east London borough to deliver more than 35,000 new homes and 10,000 new jobs over the next 15-20 years, yet we are hampered by a poor transport infrastructure which is not only frustrating us but crippling London as a whole. One of our key issues, getting [...]
Top interiors tips for turning your dreary rental property into a cosy home sweet home February 3, 2016 Whether you’re renting in the city for work or you’re not quite ready to climb on to the property ladder, your rental property still needs to feel like home. Most, however, look pretty, well, beige so here are some tips from interior design and property experts on how to put your stamp on a property [...]