Proximity to a Farmers Market Can Boost House Prices
New research by Zoopla has found that properties located close to a popular farmers market could be worth up to 26% more than the average home in the same county. It appears that living in close proximity to a weekly supply of organic vegetables and artisan bread can come at a price, with properties near […]
Government Urged to Act on Retirement Housing
Two separate organisations representing the interests of older people have called for a “revolution” in housing provision to better meet the housing needs of people in retirement. Stamp Duty Exemption Saga, which provides services for the over-50s, has called on the Chancellor to introduce a Stamp Duty exemption for those downsizing in retirement. According to […]
Housing Market Needs More Houses
The UK Government recently published a White Paper on the housing market in England, describing it as “broken”. According to the White Paper, the reason for this is very simple – not enough homes are being built, now and in the past, and supply continues to lag significantly behind demand. Not Enough Houses Being Built […]
House Price Growth Steady at Start of Year
The start of 2017 has seen ‘broadly stable’ annual house price growth amounting to 4.3%, according to Nationwide’s House Price Index for January. This is only slightly below the annual growth rate of 4.5% recorded in December 2016. On a monthly basis, house prices rose by 0.2% in January, after seasonal factors were taken into […]
Rise in Number of First-Time Buyers
The number of first-time buyers in the UK rose by 7.3% in 2016, from 312,900 in 2015 to an estimated 335,750, according to the latest Halifax First-Time Buyer Review. This is apparently the highest level since the start of the financial crisis in 2007 (359,900). First-Time Buyers Integral to the Housing Market Halifax highlights that […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
