Review of Child Maintenance Service

The UK Government has published details of research into the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service (CMS). According to the Government, the research shows that the majority of separated parents using the CMS are managing their child support payments between themselves, and most arrangements set up using Direct Pay under the new CMS are still […]

Scottish Housing Market Update

There was a rise in the average price of a property in Scotland in October 2016, taking the average price to £143,131, the latest UK House Price Index (UK HPI) has revealed. This is an increase of 4% over the previous year, and an increase of 1% compared to September 2016. Across the UK as […]

Scottish Village Receives Bequest from Former PoW

A German man, who had been held as a Prisoner of War (PoW) in Scotland, has left a generous bequest to the Scottish village where he was detained, reports the BBC. Heinrich Steinmeyer had been a soldier in the Germany army during World War Two. He was captured by the allied forces while taking part […]

Rise in Number of First-Time Buyers

The number of mortgages granted to first-time buyers in the third quarter of this year is at its highest level since 2007, according to new figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). In total, first-time buyers borrowed £940 million, up 3% on the second quarter and 6% on the third quarter last year. This […]

Location Adds Premium to House Prices

Location is one of the most important considerations for home buyers when it comes to deciding on a new house, and many purchasers are prepared to pay a premium to secure their ideal setting. Rural Premium The Scottish countryside is one such location that carries a property premium, with recent Bank of Scotland research revealing […]

Calls for Incentives to Encourage Earlier Transfer of Wealth

A new report has highlighted the extent of the pensions and savings gap in the UK, with many adults failing to save enough money to provide for a comfortable retirement. According to the report, one possible solution is to bring about an urgent change in attitudes towards inheritance planning, with a focus on the earlier […]

Home Ownership Is Still an Aspiration for Many

Home Ownership Is Still an Aspiration for Many Despite changing housing markets and rising affordability challenges, owning a home remains the UK’s top housing aspiration — and not just for financial reasons. Recent research by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) reveals that sentiment towards home ownership has remained remarkably stable over the last 30 […]

House Price Index Reveals Steady Rise Across the UK

The latest UK House Price Index (UK HPI) has revealed an average annual property price increase of 8.4% in August, taking the average property value in the UK to £218,964. On a month by month basis, average house prices rose by 1.3% since July. Looking more closely at the position in Scotland, the figures show […]

Study Gives Insight into Views on Inheritance

A recent study from Canada has given an interesting insight into the older generation’s views on spending all their money verses leaving an inheritance for their children. According to the study, which was conducted by HomEquity Bank and Ipsos Canada, 86% of respondents said they are unwilling to forgo doing, achieving or acquiring something in […]

Scotland’s Most Affordable Commuter Towns

Motherwell, Greenock & Arbroath: Scotland’s Most Affordable Commuter Towns Motherwell, Greenock, and Arbroath have been named Scotland’s most affordable commuter towns, according to new research from the Bank of Scotland. The study compared average property prices in towns within an hour’s commute of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen, weighing them against average local earnings and the […]