Posts with tag: property

Keep your home safe in 2016…and beyond!

Published On: January 5, 2016 at 11:52 am

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Dark mornings. Post Christmas blues. Struggling to fit into your favourite jeans following two weeks of chocolate, booze and cheese. Yes, the new year is upon us. However, the turning of a new calendar is the perfect time for landlords and homeowners alike to make security improvements to their home, in order to keep it secure for 2016 and beyond!

Safety

The 2015 Crime Survey for England and Wales by the Office for National Statistics indicated that 750,000 cases of domestic burglary in the past year.

Mark Jones, NHBC’s head of house buildings standards noted that, ‘there are a number of simple steps people can take to improve the security of their homes. From burglar alarms to security light, these measures can add value to properties and offer homeowners peace of mind in helping to make sure their homes and belongings are well protected.’[1]

‘People who live in newer properties, may already have security locks, burglar alarms and security lighting included as standard, ‘he continued. ‘But there are also a number of simple measures people can take to keep their homes and property safe from burglars.’[1]

Keep your home safe in 2016...and beyond!

Keep your home safe in 2016…and beyond!

Keep your home secure

Here then are some top-tips to keep your property secure for many new years to come:

Lock all the doors

It is vitally important to have robust locks on all doors of the property. Landlords should make sure are doors of their homes are fitted with secure fixed locks or a multi-point locking system. Latches and deadlocking should also be considered.

Don’t give burglars a window of opportunity

Make sure that any windows, particularly those on the ground floor or that can be easily reached, are fitted with lockable devices or handles that cannot be released without a key.

Enjoy the view  

By making sure that you have a wide angled view of the area outside the main entrance door to check on visitors, you can keep yourself aware of just who is calling. Some newer properties have conveniently placed windows that allow a clear view of the entrance area.

Let there be light

Installing an external detection security lighting system that switches on after dark when someone is near can be highly effective in deterring crime. Landlords and homeowners alike should seriously consider this to put off potential intruders.

Sound the alarm

Similarly, a house alarm system is a great way of decreasing the chance of crime. Some systems even link to a mobile phone or other device to let the property owner know that the alarm has been set off.

Don’t say that you’re away

Leave lights on a timer when you know that you are going to be away from a property. If you know that you are going to be away for a prolonged period, get a trusted neighbour or family member to make regular checks on the hom

[1] http://www.whathouse.com/news/tuesdaytips-keep-your-home-safe-this-year/12346/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tuesday%20tips

 

 

 

Number of homes for sale in UK falls again

Published On: January 5, 2016 at 9:29 am

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Categories: Property News

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The latest monthly report from the National Association of Estate Agents makes bleak reading for potential homebuyers.

According to the research, there are 10 buyers for every property listed for sale in Britain, as the supply of homes available has dipped once again.

Decline

There was also bad news for first-time buyers. Following a positive period between July and October, where the number of sales to this group increased, purchases made in November fell by 10%.

As a whole, sales were down by 1%. This is typical at this time of year, but the sharp decline in sales to first-time buyers has given estate agents reason to fear the worst.

In the Autumn Statement, Chancellor George Osborne outlined his plans to assist first-time buyers in making it onto the property ladder. However, 53% of NAEA members believe that first-time purchasers will become more and more squeezed out of the market due to the continued lack of affordable housing.

The growing demand for property shows no sign of abating, with 336 house-hunters registered per NAEA branch in October, rising to 403 in November.

What’s more, the report shows that available housing dipped marginally in November, from 43 to 41 properties per branch.

Number of homes for sale in UK falls again

Number of homes for sale in UK falls again

Problems

‘It’s very normal at this time of year that demand is high and supply is low,’ noted Mark Hayward, MD of the NAEA. ‘House hunters hoping to find their dream property in the New Year have registered interest with agents, whilst those hoping to sell are holding off putting their properties on the market before January. However, supply is outweighing demand so heavily now that it can’t solely be attributed to seasonality,’ he continued.[1]

He went on to say that, ‘it’s clear that we’re faced with a crisis here and the housing market needs addressing as matter of urgency. Our recent Housing 2025 report compiled with Association of Residential Letting Agents and Centre for Economics and Business Research found that by 2025, house prices are set to rise by 50%-and if we don’t act now, this will impact first time buyers, second steppers and last steppers, forcing many out of home ownership.’[1]

Concluding, Mr Hayward said, ‘the Government has made efforts to address the issue of supply and demand, with Osborne outlining plans to build 200,000 new starter homes in his Autumn Statement, but four fifths of our agents think it simply isn’t enough.’ He believes that, ‘it’s all very well planning to build houses, but we need to move to action and get the bricks and mortar on the ground if we’re to solve the crisis we’re faced with.’[1]

[1] http://www.propertywire.com/news/europe/uk-homes-supply-crisis-2016010411388.html

 

 

2015 not a good year for property sales in the South

Published On: December 31, 2015 at 12:29 pm

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Categories: Property News

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2015 was not a good year for property sales in the South, with new research suggesting that transactions fell furthest in this area over the course of the twelve months.

A report from the Halifax suggests that all regions experienced a dip in sales over the past year, but there was a significant north/south divide.

Higher or lower

The largest reported decline was in Greater London, where sales were down by 14%. The North West recorded the smallest drop of just 3%. There were however marked differences in local markets, with different high and low markets across some regions.

For example, in Yorkshire and the Humber, sales were down by 6% but in Batley, sales dropped by 27%. In Pontefract however, they were up by 20%.

82% of towns saw a decrease in sales in 2015. This is almost a complete reversal from 2014, where 97% of towns saw a rise. Despite Greater London seeing the largest decline in activity, it did not deter prices, which actually rose by an average of £55,095.

Two towns recorded an increase of 20% or more in sales between 2014 and 2015. The largest rises were in Salford (23%) and Pontefract (20%). All ten towns that saw the largest increases in sales are located outside southern England.

2015 not a good year for property sales in the South

2015 not a good year for property sales in the South

Falls

Market Rasen, located in Lincolnshire, saw the greatest dip in sales, with a fall in sales of 30% between the first eight months of 2014 and the same period of 2015.

Seventeen towns experienced a decline of 25% or more and seven out of the ten towns that recorded the largest falls were located in London and the South East. Kensington and Chelsea was the worst performing borough in London with a 28% dip in sales. This was followed closely by Hammersmith and Fulham. In all, thirty London boroughs saw a fall in sales, with just two experiencing a rise.

Craig McKinlay, Mortgages Director at the Halifax, noted, ‘activity in the housing market has generally softened in 2015 with sales in the first eight months of the year down by 8% compared with the same period in 2014. While sales have declined in all regions, there is a clear north versus south pattern, with sales falling most in southern regions. An acute shortage of properties for sales has also added to the constraints on activity.’[1]

‘Nonetheless, there remain substantial local variations in housing activity with a small number of towns recording significant increases. These towns are largely in the north and are where prices are relatively low,’ he added.[1]

[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/property/property-sales-fell-furthest-in-the-south-during-2015.html

 

 

 

UK property values in monthly and yearly record rises

Published On: December 30, 2015 at 10:15 am

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With the curtain coming down on 2015, a new report shows that UK property values saw record monthly and annual increases during November.

Data from a report by Haart indicates that UK property values rose 13.4% annually and by 3.7% in the month to go past the £230,000 mark for the first time. British house prices now stand at an average of £231,857.

Rise and Falls

There has been an annual increase of 7.5% in the number of new buyers but supply has dipped by 3.1% in the last month. Viewings too slipped by 4.5% during November. Sales though were more positive, rising by 0.5% over the same period.

In addition, first-time buyer house prices increased by 1.1% in the month and by 0.2% annually to hit £166,581.

However, first-time buyer numbers fell by 7% over the last month as a result of increased competition with buy-to-let investors. As a percentage of all mortgages written, the number of first-time buyers slipped from 42.5% in October to 40.4% in the last month.

More positively, the average deposit for a starter home has fallen by 2% in November and by 2.3% in the last year.

UK property values in monthly and yearly record rises

UK property values in monthly and yearly record rises

Record-breaking

‘UK house prices rose 13.4% annually and 3.7% on the month to break records again in November,’ observed Paul Smith, CEO of Haart. ‘This is the steepest monthly and annual increase on record and follows a surge in registrations from buy-to-let investors since the Autumn Statement in anticipation of the 3% stamp duty surcharge which is effective from the 1st of April of 2016. This could mean the stamp duty payable on a property worth £275,000 could rise from £3,750 to £12,000.’[1]

Smith went on to say that, ‘although first-time buyer house prices have remained relatively stable, up just 1.1% in the last month, I expect these to shoot up over the coming months as first-time buyers face fierce competition from buy-to-let investors.’ He also believes that, ‘The pressure is already being felt by many with demand among first-time-buyers already down 7% in the last month alone. While first-time buyers may face a tough couple of months, once the stamp duty changes come into effect in April, demand from buy-to-let investors is likely to recede so we should see a recovery in prices at this level.’[1]

[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/property/average-uk-house-see-steepest-monthly-and-annual-increase-on-record.html

 

 

 

Britain’s top house price performers in 2015 revealed

Published On: December 29, 2015 at 12:19 pm

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Categories: Property News

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As the year draws to a close, the Halifax has presented a rundown of Britain’s top house price performers during 2015.

Research from the firm has revealed that Newham in London recorded the largest percentage rise in property price values in major UK towns and cities during the past year.

Ups

The Halifax’s own house price data reveals that the average house price in Newham was 22% greater than in the last year. Property prices rose from £261,399 to £319,522 in 2015. This represents almost double the 12% that London recorded as a whole.

Royston in Hertfordshire saw the second highest rise in average house prices, with an increase of 19%.

Unsurprisingly, the top-ten performers were all in London and in the South East.

Outside of these areas, Stroud in Gloucestershire, Wellingborough in Northamptonshire and Solihul in the West Midlands were the regions with the largest growth. All recorded price increases of between 14-15%.

Britain's top house price performers in 2015 revealed

Britain’s top house price performers in 2015 revealed

Downs

Just a few towns recorded a decline in house price values during the last year. The greatest was in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales where prices slumped by 3.8%. Colwyn Bay saw prices dip by 2.3%, Durham 2.1% and Coalville 0.5%.

The top-ten worst performers were all located outside of London and the South East, with the exception of Kensington and Chelsea, where prices rose by just 1% during 2015.

‘Those areas that have seen the biggest house price increases over the past year are either in outer London or within close commuting distance of the capital,’ noted Martin Ellis, housing economist at the Halifax. ‘Demand in these areas has risen as rapid house price rises in central London in the past few years have caused increasing numbers of people to look for property in more affordable areas.’ [1]

‘A few towns have experienced modest price falls,’ he continued, before stating that, ‘these areas are typically stiff suffering from relatively weak employment and economic conditions, which has dampened local housing demand.’[1]

[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/property/where-is-the-uks-top-house-price-performer-in-2015.html

 

Santa Won’t Get Stuck Up These Chimneys!

Published On: December 21, 2015 at 2:46 pm

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What’s more magical to children than the snowy white footprints left behind on the hearth, or seeing leftover mince pie crumbs on Christmas morning? Well, there are the presents of course, but there’s also the knowledge that Santa came down their chimney to deliver their gifts… And these homes will put a real twinkle in their eye.

The Chantry, Honiton, Devon

The Chantry was once what it says it is, built in the early 1500s for Alice and John Bonville, with a resident priest to pray for their souls. In 1547, however, chantries were abolished. Now, the building is a grand five-bedroom house.

Dress up the stone fireplace in the hall with knitted stockings and rich, green decorations. Find out more about decking the halls with greenery from your garden here: /17276-2/

If you have a spare £800,000, this home is on the market through Humberts: http://www.humberts.com/property-to-buy/devon-honiton-ex14/hon150179/

Old Timbers, Suffolk

Do you enjoy a quiet, romantic Christmas morning? If so, this is the home for you – Old Timbers is a cosy three-bedroom Tudor farmhouse with striking timber beams. But the magic of this property really is in the bedroom…

The master suite comprises a beautiful vaulted room with an open fireplace and tiled hearth. Store logs beside the fire for a relaxed start to the day.

The house is on the market for £499,950 with David Burr: http://webcdn1.jupix.co.uk/v3/clients/424/properties/389449/MED_389449_237505.pdf

Uchel Dref, Corwen, Wales

Uchel Dref boasts not one but three reception rooms and six bedrooms – could this place already be any more perfect for family Christmases? Well, yes it can. Although the 16th-century farmhouse has many a-chimney, multi-fuel stoves block the fireplaces in the two sitting rooms.

Santa Claus will have to pick the open fire in the dining room, where you and your family can sit back and enjoy a hearty Christmas dinner before walking it off on the acre of land outside.

This property also has a detached stone building and is valued at £499,950 through Halls: http://hallsgb.com/properties/uchel-dref-pencoed-pencoed-corwen-ll21-9dd/

The Old Manse, Alness, Ross-shire

Can’t decide what to leave for Santa on Christmas Eve? Check The Old Manse’s wine cellar and you’re sure to find something that’ll warm his nose! The Georgian house has been renovated to a Victorian style after a fire, making for a traditional and classic setting.

Santa will likely choose between the fireplaces in the two reception rooms, or maybe resurrect the unused hearths in two of the five bedrooms!

What’s more, Santa could even find himself in the boathouse, although we’re not sure he’ll have time for a ride on the waters of Cromarty Firth. CKD Galbraith is accepting offers of over £395,000: http://www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk/property/inv120175-old-manse-alness-ross-shire-iv17-0xg

Have you polished off your hearth in preparation? You don’t have long!