Opinion: Too many people don’t carry out due diligence when buying a new build. Here are some tips so you get what you paid for April 1, 2019 While the new build industry has not been immune to the slowdown, there is no question that there are still activity hotspots in certain parts of the market. Savvy investors are busy snapping up properties at discounted rates and chain-free, first-time buyers are in a great position to negotiate. But there is another, darker side [...]
Still doubting the benefits of free markets? Just look at Ethiopia April 1, 2019 “It's a zero-sum game,” says Gordon Gekko in Oliver Stone’s 1987 film, Wall Street. “Somebody wins, somebody loses.” This sentiment relies on the idea is that there is a fixed amount of wealth to go round. It is nonsense – yet many, perhaps unthinkingly, believe it. Read more: Editor's Notes: The future of capitalism deserves more [...]
Focus On Camden: Camden Market turns 45 tomorrow, but how much have house prices changed in this cultural hotspot? March 29, 2019 Today, a London institution reaches proper middle-age. Camden Market – once home to punks and mods, now home to an awful lot of tourists looking for the punks and mods – turns 45 on 30 March 2019. It could be home to you, too, if you can afford it. The average second hand sales price, [...]
New homes: Our pick of the new builds going on sale in London this weekend March 29, 2019 New developments on the market this week The Refinery, Newham From £120,750 for a 35 per cent share of a one bedroom flat Live in the shadow of golden syrup factory Tate & Lyle in an up-and-coming part of east London. Part-buy, part-rent a one, two or three bedroom apartment through Shared Ownership. Sixty homes [...]
14 years of returns: history’s lesson for investors March 29, 2019 The temptation among investors is to stick to what you know. That is no bad thing. It is a strategy championed by successful investment pioneers such as Warren Buffett, a famous devotee of stocks. It can work, when the market is rising and you have picked the right asset. However, it’s also important for investors [...]
Worst London house price drop in 10 years drags down UK house prices growth March 29, 2019 UK house price growth stayed soft in March as London's worst house price drop in a decade dragged down the market. Prices rose 0.7 per cent in March compared to the year before, according to Nationwide’s latest house price index, a modest 0.2 per cent higher than February. Read more: UK house prices: Brexit means prices [...]
It’s not about copyright – the EU is trying to destroy the internet March 29, 2019 One of the feistiest debates in the classically liberal community revolves around the concept of property rights, especially in the digital age. I realise that, for many, this may not seem the sexiest topic, but at least this column isn’t about Brexit, so stay with me. Those who broadly share a similar, free-market worldview can take [...]
London house prices start to stabilise after three-year dip March 27, 2019 Signs that London’s house prices could be starting to stabilise emerged this morning, with a new study showing that values picked up slightly in February. According to Zoopla, househunters that have previously held off on deals are seeking out buying opportunities in the capital following weaker house price growth amid the Brexit uncertainty. Read more: [...]
City watchdog says it could amend rules to rescue ‘mortgage prisoners’ March 26, 2019 City watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said today it could change its lending rules to help so-called mortgage prisoners switch to more affordable deals. Mortgage prisoners are homeowners, often paying expensive rates, who are unable to switch deals despite being up-to-date with their mortgage payments. The regulator is proposing to amend its responsible lending [...]
City Moves for 26 March – who’s switching jobs at Applause, Amino Technologies and Flexible Office Space? March 26, 2019 Who’s on the move today? Applause Applause, the worldwide leader in digital quality and crowdsourced testing, has announced that Lisa Landa will join the company as chief marketing officer. Her success in building strong brands, generating demand and leading worldwide teams will be instrumental as Applause extends its market leadership across the globe. She comes [...]