UK house prices: March’s Nationwide house price index reveals more proof the property market is cooling March 27, 2015 House prices in the UK inched up just 0.1 per cent in March, a further signal the property market is continuing to cool. That number took annual growth to 5.1 per cent, down from February’s 5.7 per cent, the seventh consecutive monthly slowdown in growth. That means growth is now at an 18-month low. “Economic [...]
Housing shortage hits first-time buyers despite government help March 26, 2015 The UK’s chronic housing shortage is forcing first-time buyers to accept lower quality properties. Natural light was cited as not being vital by 51 per cent of prospective buyers, survey figures released today by estate agents Your Move and Reeds Rains show. Additionally, 63 per cent would go without a bath while 11 per cent [...]
City Moves for 27 March 2015 | Who’s switching jobs March 26, 2015 Northern Trust David Burnett has been appointed head of hedge fund services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at the financial services firm. He joined Northern Trust in 2011 as head of relationship management, EMEA. Burnett has also held positions at Omnium and Citadel Investment Group. Salamanca Group The merchant banking and operational [...]
London barometer: How General Election uncertainty is influencing home buyers and sellers March 26, 2015 Politics continues to shape the property market as demand falls and supply increases ahead of one of the most divisive elections in generations. The outcome is causing uncertainty in the sales market and a general mood of caution, with some buyers and vendors hedging their bets before committing to selling or buying. Valuations remain consistent [...]
Focus On Highgate: Why this north west suburb has been the garden of London for 300 years March 26, 2015 Most areas in London have been through good times and bad times. But the gentrification cycle seems to have completely passed Highgate by. The extraordinarily green suburb of north west London has remained a constant spot of affluence in the capital and it remains for many the epitome of the desirable London village. How has [...]
58 Redcliffe Square: The ultimate city bachelor pad March 26, 2015 William Samuels, interior designer and co-founder of property development company Wilben is putting his two-bedroom Kensington bachelor pad on the market. Located on the western side of a picturesque garden square with a church in the middle, the apartment was being rented by students when Will spotted its potential, stripped the place bare and re-designed [...]
Don’t bury your head in the sand over the spectre of the ‘mansion tax’ March 26, 2015 If you think increased taxation on high end properties doesn’t affect you, then think again. We should all be grateful that the Budget didn’t further raid one of the nation’s biggest piggy banks, because when the top end of the property market suffers, it has a trickle down effect; pretending otherwise is a dangerous exercise [...]
Crowdfunding: A brief history March 26, 2015 It’s transforming the prospects of small businesses, but it’s still early days for crowdfunding in the UK. By the middle of this month, the Scottish National Party had raised nearly £35,000 on crowdfunding website Crowdfunder. It’s not the only party to turn to crowdfunding to bankroll its General Election campaign – over the past three [...]
The Big Question: Which multi-asset fund should I put my pension in? March 26, 2015 The upcoming pension reforms will mean new freedom for investors. Multi-asset solutions, which aim to give exposure to a range of asset classes while limiting risk, could be the best solution for your pension. We ask the experts for their recommendations. “The new pensions rules will throw some historic strategies up in the air” [...]
Ladies who don’t lunch: Sue Round talks fund management, sentimentality and being broke March 26, 2015 Buongiorno signora!” bellows the exuberant waiter at Bolton’s, an Italian tucked away in an unassuming corner near Leadenhall Market. “Hello, hellooo” comes the response. I know Sue Round has arrived, even before I see her. She greets me warmly, as if we’ve known each other for years. In fact, I’ve met Sue only once before [...]