Should Britain consider regulation to end the current model of no-charge banking? May 24, 2012 YES Alex McEvoy Banks sell a very complicated set of products and clarity is vital so that customers understand what they are paying for. It costs a bank hundreds of pounds a year to service an account – for cards, secure websites, statements, and anti-fraud systems, as well as complying with regulations. Banks currently make [...]
RAPID RESPONSES May 24, 2012 Europe’s cash cows [Re: Europe’s shared currency shouldn’t entail Germany bankrolling a debt union, Wednesday] An interesting article by Jamie Whyte, though it misses one crucial point. Whyte’s premise that Germany shouldn’t subsidise other EU members, by principle, forgets one long-standing policy – the Common Agricultural Policy. Germany has indirectly subsidised French agriculture for years. Of [...]
CRASH PADS May 24, 2012 For the City’s movers and shakers, it’s the million pound question: do you live in the town centre and save yourself hours of tedious, stressful commuting, safe in the knowledge that you own property in one of the world’s cultural hubs? Or, do you move to the commuter belt, get yourself a bigger house with [...]
Two Grade-II dream homes: one with world-class equine facilities May 24, 2012 Burnham Westgate Hall, Norkfolk It’s not every day you describe a potential home as “important” – well, this building is just that: a Grade II* listed Georgian country house by the famous Sir John Soane, set in over 30 acres of beautiful Norkfolk parkland, on the edge of Burnham Market town. Architectural features include a [...]
Get your home in a royal mood May 24, 2012 Jonah armchair designed by James Harrison, £499, made.com Winner of an Elle Decoration Young Designer of the Year Award, Harrison’s patriotic chair has good support and a velvety soft woven jacquard fabric for a luxury feel. Graham and Greene vintage union jack bunting, £26, grahamandgreen.co.uk The ideal accompaniment to any Jubilee-themed garden party, but understated enough [...]
LONDON BAROMETER May 24, 2012 DIRECTOR OF DOUGLAS & GORDON “The London property market continues to be hindered by the lack of finance available to buyers, which has increased the period it takes for a property to exchange to at least nine weeks. “Supply appears perhaps lower than it is because many good properties are put under offer immediately but [...]
The beautiful Balearic bubble May 24, 2012 WITH Spain poised to need a bailout, is this a foolish time to think about buying a dream home in Mallorca, Ibiza or Menorca? Not necessarily. Michael Cunnington, of MJC Associates, the Savills Agents in Mallorca, says: “The honest answer is that we still have traffic and people inquiring in the top end but buyers [...]
FOCUS ON: ESHER, SURREY May 24, 2012 CLARE COTTAGE Price: 3.85m This imposing six bedroom house sits on a hill with views across the countryside. The exclusive Clare Hill estate is one of the only private gated residences in the area, with cherry blossom trees and lawned verges on the road. The cottage, which is more than 100 years old, has a [...]
NEED TO KNOW | AREA INSIGHT May 24, 2012 AREA AND COMMUTING Esher is a historic town four miles south-west of Kingston but still within easy commuting distance to London. Trains depart from Waterloo and Clapham Junction every 20 minutes, with the journey taking no longer than 25 minutes. The one drawback is that Oyster cards are not valid, so you’ll have to buy [...]
SELL May 24, 2012 MANAGING DIRECTOR KAY & CO Q. I am going to sell my property and I understand that most enquiries now stem from the internet. How can I ensure that my property stands out from the rest? A. Statistics show that 75 per cent of all property related searches now stem from the internet. There are [...]
