Housing market uncertainty persists as property transactions remain flat September 24, 2019 Property transactions in August edged down slightly year-on-year, but buyers and sellers showed some signs of resilience despite the current Brexit uncertainty. There were 99,890 residential deals in August 2019, falling 0.9 per cent from last year but rising 15.8 per cent compared with the previous month, according to new HMRC data published today. Signs [...]
‘I bought in London using shared ownership – and cut my commute’ September 23, 2019 As a senior reporter for one of the UK’s leading national newspapers, covering stories across the capital and beyond, David Rivers needed a home that was well-connected to central London. After 18 months of renting in a shared house in Streatham Hill, he was keen to get on the property ladder and have a place [...]
‘It’s empowering to buy a shared ownership home’ September 23, 2019 Shared ownership helped West End actor Chris buy a place of his own in his beloved Islington Twenty-nine year old actor Chris Leask says that shared ownership was the “only way” he was ever going to be able to buy his own place in London. Chris, who is currently playing ‘Everyone Else’ in The Comedy [...]
All you need to know about shared ownership leases September 23, 2019 The legal side of buying a home can be daunting, especially for first-time buyers – but property solicitors and conveyancers are available to help. Lesley Price, head of shared ownership at Lawcomm Solicitors offers her tips for making sure you get solid legal advice, and have a good understanding of the terms of your lease. [...]
Is shared ownership right for me? Your questions answered September 23, 2019 Nick Lieb, head of operations at Share to Buy, explains who is eligible to buy a shared ownership home and what they should consider before they do Who is eligible for shared ownership?To be eligible for shared ownership, you must either be a first time buyer or you must not currently own a property. Purchasers [...]
Pub companies: Is now the time to invest in a cheap pint? September 23, 2019 Investors in Greene King are raising a glass in celebration after Hong Kong’s richest man, Victor Li, agreed to buy the UK’s largest publicly-listed pub and brewery company for £4.6 billion (including net debt). A unit of Li’s investment vehicle, CK Asset Holdings, has bid 850 pence per share – more than a 50 per [...]
UK house prices: Growth rate halves as south east faces ‘reality check’ September 18, 2019 The annual rate of growth of UK house prices has slowed to its worst rate since September 2012, according to public data released today, as prices in the south east plummeted. Average UK house prices grew just 0.7 per cent in the year to July, amounting to just half of June’s 1.4 per cent rise, [...]
First-time buyer demand boosts July mortgage figures September 17, 2019 First-time home buyer demand has remained strong despite ongoing political and economic uncertainty. Mortgages for buyers making their first step on to the property ladder in July increased 5.8 per cent compared to the same month last year. Read more: Shifting stamp duty would hurt first-time buyers The number of homemover mortgages also increased 1.4 [...]
Government drops probe into Saudi investments in Evening Standard and Independent September 16, 2019 The government has decided not to pursue a probe into Saudi investments in the Evening Standard and the Independent, despite concerns they could harm freedom of expression. Culture secretary Nicky Morgan today said she will not appeal a court ruling that blocked the government from forcing a full public interest inquiry. Read more: Independent and [...]
Focus on: Living by the River Thames September 13, 2019 Every September, the River Thames plays host to the Totally Thames festival; a month-long event which sees it taken over by art installations, history tours and performances. It’s a chance for Londoners to reconnect with the body of water that provides the backdrop to our daily lives, and make the most of some of the [...]