Berkeley Group just had a massive rant about London’s housing crisis, saying it “poses a risk to deficit reduction” September 6, 2016 Housebuilder Berkeley Group had made its feelings on London's housing crisis very clear this morning, slamming government housing policy and saying the problems "pose a risk to deficit reduction". Berkeley Group said this morning: "What is increasingly clear is that government policy, which has been helpful outside London, has had a negative effect on the [...]
Leave the buy to let market alone, Britain needs more landlords September 6, 2016 Twenty years since buy to let took off, landlords are now a crucial part of Britain’s housing ecosystem. The private rented sector, accounting for around one in five properties, provides much-needed homes for those people who are not ready to buy or do not want to purchase a property. However, the sector sometimes comes in for stick, [...]
One in three homeowners disappointed with their progress up the housing ladder September 3, 2016 A third of homeowners are disappointed with their progress up the housing ladder, new research has found. Some 33 per cent expected to have advanced further than they currently have, according to a Lloyds Bank survey of around 1,000 homeowners. The figure increases among first-time buyers, 43 per cent of whom said they are lagging [...]
New homes on sale in “mini-Manhattan” London City Island, marketed as the capital’s would-be culture hub September 1, 2016 London City Island, Leamouth Peninsula From £365,000 The final and tallest building in the London City Island development will go on sale on Saturday. The marketing suite on the Leamouth Peninsula site will throw a party with ice pops and a juice bar from 10am to 5pm to entice buyers to invest in studio to [...]
Here’s why government spending isn’t fixing the housing crisis, according to Shelter August 31, 2016 The government is pouring money into schemes that boost demand for properties – but is failing to put enough cash into house building, according to research from housing charity Shelter. The current parliament has spent two thirds of its housing money – £28.7bn – on programmes such as the Lifetime ISA and Help to Buy, which [...]
Mortgage approvals fell to 18-month low in the first full month since the Brexit vote August 30, 2016 Mortgage approvals hit an 18-month low last month, according to figures from the Bank of England. In the first full month after the Brexit vote, approvals fell to 60,912 – down from 64,152 approvals in June. The number of approvals has been falling since March, when the stamp duty hike on second homes came into effect. There [...]
Apple’s big event is happening on 7 September for expected iPhone 7 launch August 29, 2016 It's here! Apple has set the date for the much anticipated event where it's expected to launch its latest device – the iPhone 7. An invitation for the event was sent out on Monday afternoon saying "See you on the 7th". The event will be held at 10am pacific time – 6pm in the UK – in [...]
Owen Smith to propose scrapping university fees and building starter homes to appeal to younger voters August 27, 2016 Trailing incumbent Jeremy Corbyn in the polls challenger, Owen Smith is to propose scrapping university tuition fees to appeal to younger voters. Smith is to make the pledge, along with a scheme to build starter homes for those aged under 30, as the Labour leadership contest continues. Smith is to make the announcement when he [...]
Brickgate: A war is kicking off in the construction industry after estate agents claimed there is a shortage of bricks August 25, 2016 Forget Jeremy Corbyn versus Owen Smith – there's a new feud in town. You might say relations between these two are rather stony… Brick makers have taken issue with research put out earlier today by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), which suggested not only [...]
Lending to London’s home movers sinks as first-time buyers edge onto the property market August 24, 2016 Home movers are releasing their grip on London's housing market, as data released from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) shows they took out fewer loans in the second quarter. CML said home movers withdrew 6,700 loans in the second quarter, a fall of 37 per cent as compared to the first quarter of 2016. [...]