Central London commercial market booms as tech giants move in October 16, 2018 An influx of tech and creative giants has bolstered the capital’s buoyant commercial property market in the last three months, with business space under offer rising across central London. Facebook’s arrival in King's Cross significantly boosted office take-up levels, after the tech giant took more than 600,000 square feet (sq ft) as its new London [...]
Brexit: 23 answers to investors’ questions October 16, 2018 The UK’s scheduled departure from the EU is fast approaching. Many observers are hopeful for an orderly withdrawal. But plenty of potential pitfalls between now and Brexit-day which could result in a chaotic divorce. The only near-certainty at present is that the UK will cease to be a full member of the EU on 29 [...]
Mortgage approvals to first-time buyers hit highest level in more than a year October 16, 2018 The number of first-time buyer mortgage approvals hit 35,500 in August, reaching the highest level in more than a year. The figure was two per cent more than the previous month and peaked at the highest number since June 2017, according to UK Finance's Mortgage Trends Update. Read more: Foxtons closes flagship Park Lane office New lending to [...]
London developer Galliard invests £500m in new Birmingham homes October 15, 2018 London property developer Galliard has embarked on a £500m joint venture project in Birmingham amid efforts to expand beyond the capital’s subdued housing market. In its first Midlands project, Galliard has purchased a portfolio of new developments in partnership with regional developer Apsley House Capital, in a bid to tap into Birmingham’s growing popularity among young couples and first-time buyers. [...]
UK banks risk being downgraded in no-deal Brexit situation October 11, 2018 UK banks could be downgraded in the event of a no-deal Brexit, according to ratings agency Standard & Poor. The agency's position is that the UK will successfully negotiate a deal that provides a period of continuity for financial institutions, however it said that if the UK crashes out of the European Union in March [...]
Prime central London house price growth to stay flat until 2021, thanks to stamp duty and Brexit October 11, 2018 Homeowners hoping to see a recovery in London’s high-end housing market may find themselves waiting a little longer, according to new Savills analysis that suggests growth will not return to the capital’s most expensive properties until 2021. Brexit uncertainty and a newly proposed stamp duty surcharge on foreigners is likely to “temper recovery”, with Savills [...]
Surveyors forecast fall in house prices as house buyers decline October 11, 2018 A renewed decline in the number of house buyers is piling further pressure on London’s strained property market, according to a closely followed survey out today. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) has said there was “caution” from buyers last month, as Bank of England governor Mark Carney reportedly warned prices could drop 35 [...]
City Moves for 11 October – who’s switching jobs? October 11, 2018 Today’s City Moves cover Octopus Property, White & Case and Houlihan Lokey. (Take a look at these movers and shakers.) Octopus Property Specialist property lender Octopus Property, part of the Octopus Group, announced the appointment of Paula Purdy as business development manager (BDM), north of England, reporting directly to D’mitri Zaprzala, Head of Sales. Paula’s appointment [...]
Pub giant Marston’s hikes profits as summer boom adds to sizzling sales October 10, 2018 Pub operator Marston's today said it expects to see higher growth in annual profit, after boosted sales in the summer led the turnaround from a disappointing first half of the year. The figures In a trading update before its preliminary annual results, Marston's said group turnover grew 15 per cent to more than £1.1bn. As [...]
Telford Homes boss: Negative Brexit commentary will push down house prices October 10, 2018 Shares in Telford Homes plunged more than 13 per cent in early morning trading today as it warned of falling house prices and flat activity in London’s property market over the next 12 months, with Brexit uncertainty weighing on buyer confidence in the capital. The London-based housebuilder said that recent “negative” Brexit commentary and talk of [...]