General election jitters? UK house prices fall off the boil in February March 5, 2015 The path to house price equilibrium is an undulating one. After a 1.9 per cent spike in January the average cost of a house fell by 0.3 per cent month-on-month in February, according to the latest data from Halifax. This put the price of the average home slightly lower at £192,372, with some analysts suspecting [...]
UK house prices: Rise in mortgage loans could mean slowdown is ending March 2, 2015 Mortgage approvals edged up in January, Bank of England figures showed yesterday, hinting that the slowdown in the market could be coming to an end. A total of 60,786 loans were approved in January, up from 60,349 in December. However, that is still down from 75,559 in January 2014. “A second successive – albeit small [...]
UK house prices fall by average of £482 in another signal the property market is cooling March 2, 2015 House prices have fallen for the first time in five months as annual growth in the property market slowed to its lowest rate since September 2013 – yet another signal the market is losing steam. The latest figures from Nationwide show house prices fell 0.1 per cent in February compared to a 0.3 per cent [...]
Construction is rising as home building surges March 1, 2015 PRIVATE home and commercial construction is picking up, industry figures show today, despite continued stagnation in public sector building. Construction activity increased by six per cent in the 12 months to March, led by a 12 per cent jump in private housing schemes, according industry analysts Glenigan. Private sector activity was also helped by a [...]
Housing data shows lending and price rises – London Report March 1, 2015 HOUSING data due this week is likely to show increases in both prices and the number of mortgages being taken out. Bank of England mortgage approval figures, out today, are forecast to show that the number of housing loans rose modestly for a second month running in January after falling for five successive months to [...]
Countrywide predicts rocky 2015 for property market despite record profits February 26, 2015 The figures The UK's largest estate agent, Countrywide, whose brands include Bairstow Eves, Hamptons and John D Wood, announced a 20 per cent rise in total income to £702.2m in its first year as a publicly listed company. Profit before tax rose 63 per cent to a record level of £102.4m, from £62.9m at the same stage [...]
…but lending dip may have bottomed out February 25, 2015 MORTGAGE lending may have picked up again, with approvals rising marginally in January. The number of mortgages approved for house purchase was 36,394, according to the British Bankers Association. It marks the first climb in approvals since June 2014, but approvals are down 26 per cent year-on-year. “Aspirational first-time buyers and home movers face multiple [...]
Barratt Developments posts massive 75 per cent profit increase February 25, 2015 The figures Barratt Developments' half-year results will make cheerful reading for the company's shareholders. Pre-tax profit at the company climbed 74 per cent, while total completions rose 12.5 per cent. Basic earnings per share were also up 78.9 per cent. Why it's interesting Barratt enjoyed a booming 2014 with stronger profits, and shareholders were treated [...]
Bovis Homes reveals record year as profits, revenue and earnings all soar February 23, 2015 The figures Bovis Homes' share price opened around two per cent higher this morning, after the home builder reported a 75 per cent rise in basic earnings per share, from 44.9p to 78.6p for the year ended 31 December 2014. A stronger average sales price and a record year for completions led to a 69 per [...]
How to become a banker: Barclays launches apprentice scheme just for people over 50 February 8, 2015 A couple of generations ago, many people would have been planning retirement by the time they reached their 50s. But now that we are living longer, we also have to work longer to support ourselves. In some cases, that means starting on a new career path late in life. Barclays is about to [...]